6.25°C Vancouver
connect fm logo

Dec 19, 2024 1:26 PM - The Canadian Press

B.C. police officer charged with sexual assault dies by suicide, reports say

Share On
b-c-police-officer-charged-with-sexual-assault-dies-by-suicide-reports-say
RCMP say they are looking into whether any criminality was involved and the coroner's service is also investigating.(The Canadian Press)

Several British Columbia media reports say one of two Central Saanich Police officers charged with sexual assaulting a woman they met on duty has died by suicide.

The Times Colonist cites four sources saying 43-year-old Sgt. Matthew Ball has died, while other outlets cite police sources saying Ball died by suicide.

Mounties say in a news release they are investigating the discovery of a body in a forested area of Shawnigan Lake, which is about 40 kilometres northwest of Victoria.

RCMP say they are looking into whether any criminality was involved and the coroner's service is also investigating.

An RCMP spokesman would not identify the person who died, while Central Saanich Police, the BC Coroners Service and BC Emergency Health Services declined to comment.

Vancouver police said on Tuesday that Ball and 40-year-old Const. Ryan Johnston allegedly formed separate "intimate" and "inappropriate" relationships with the same woman in her mid-20s, and it did not appear the two officers acted together.

Deputy Chief Fiona Wilson of the Vancouver Police Department said at a Tuesday news conference that the investigation was launched on Oct. 28 at the request of Central Saanich Police after the woman came forward about the alleged offences.

Wilson called the allegations against Ball and Johnston "shocking and disturbing."

She said the investigation was ongoing and anyone with information was asked to contact police.

Ball, who was hired by Central Saanich Police in 2016 after 12 years of service with Calgary police, had faced one count of sexual assault and one count of breach of trust, for allegations that happened between Feb. 1, 2019, and Oct. 31, 2023.

He was awarded a police exemplary service medal by the Governor General earlier this year.

Johnston has been with Central Saanich Police since 2017 and is accused of one count of sexual assault for an alleged offence that occurred between Feb. 6, 2020, and March 8, 2020.

Wilson had said both officers were to face court on Tuesday for a bail hearing.

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, support is available 24-7 by calling or texting 988, Canada's national suicide prevention helpline.

Latest news

See All
b-c-and-federal-government-announce-funding-to-support-victims-of-extortion-cases
BCNov 28, 2025

B.C. and Federal Government Announce Funding to Support Victims of Extortion Cases

B.C. Premier David Eby and the federal government have committed 500,000 dollars each to support people affected by a rising number of extortion cases in the province. The announcement followed a roundtable meeting in Surrey on Friday, where officials discussed ongoing threats that have targeted residents and business owners in several communities. The meeting brought together Premier Eby, Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke and federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, along with senior law enforcement representatives. Participants reviewed current investigations and explored ways to improve
IndiaNov 28, 2025

Punjab announces December 14 vote for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections

Punjab has scheduled elections for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti bodies for December 14, introducing several procedural changes aimed at improving participation and oversight. The State Election Commission confirmed that ballots will be cast using paper ballots instead of electronic voting machines, marking a shift from recent local elections. Half of all seats will be reserved for women, a measure officials say is intended to strengthen representation and broaden community involvement in local governance. Vote counting is set for December 17. For the first time, each district will have a
conservation-officers-capture-two-more-grizzlies-as-investigation-continues-into-bella-coola-attack
BCNov 28, 2025

Conservation officers capture two more grizzlies as investigation continues into Bella Coola attack

Provincial conservation officers have captured two additional grizzly bears on British Columbia’s central coast as the search continues for the animal responsible for last week’s attack on a group of schoolchildren and their teachers near Bella Coola. The B.C. Conservation Officer Service says the bears are being held for assessment while forensic evidence from the attack site undergoes analysis. The incident left three students and a teacher with serious injuries during a field trip involving about 20 participants. Authorities believe a grizzly sow and two cubs may have been involved, and
AlbertaNov 28, 2025

Alberta projects $6.4B deficit as lower oil prices strain provincial revenues

Alberta is now forecasting a $6.4-billion deficit for the current fiscal year as softer oil prices and ongoing trade uncertainty continue to weigh on the province’s finances. The updated number represents only a modest improvement from the $6.5-billion shortfall estimated in the summer fiscal outlook. The new projection marks a significant reversal from last year’s $8.3-billion surplus, underscoring how quickly Alberta’s resource-driven revenues can shift. According to the province, non-renewable resource income has fallen by roughly 30 per cent compared with last year, a decline driven
canada-posts-stronger-than-expected-economic-growth-in-third-quarter
CanadaNov 28, 2025

Canada posts stronger than expected economic growth in third quarter

Canada’s economy regained momentum over the summer months, with new federal data showing a 2.6 per cent annualized increase in real gross domestic product during the third quarter. Statistics Canada’s latest release indicates the rebound was considerably stronger than forecasts from the Bank of Canada and private sector economists, many of whom expected only modest growth. The agency reports that a sharp drop in imports combined with slightly higher exports helped strengthen the country’s trade position. Federal capital spending – including major procurement of new military equipment ?

Related News

B.C. and Federal Government Announce Funding to Support Victims of Extortion Cases

B.C. and Federal Government Announce Funding to Support Victims of Extortion Cases

B.C. Premier David Eby and the federal government have committed 500,000 dollars each to support people affected by a rising number of extortion cases in the province. The announcement followed a roundtable meeting in Surrey on Friday, where officials discussed ongoing threats that have targeted residents and business owners in several communities. The meeting brought together Premier Eby, Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke and federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, along with senior law enforcement representatives. Participants reviewed current investigations and explored ways to improve
Conservation officers capture two more grizzlies as investigation continues into Bella Coola attack

Conservation officers capture two more grizzlies as investigation continues into Bella Coola attack

Provincial conservation officers have captured two additional grizzly bears on British Columbia’s central coast as the search continues for the animal responsible for last week’s attack on a group of schoolchildren and their teachers near Bella Coola. The B.C. Conservation Officer Service says the bears are being held for assessment while forensic evidence from the attack site undergoes analysis. The incident left three students and a teacher with serious injuries during a field trip involving about 20 participants. Authorities believe a grizzly sow and two cubs may have been involved, and
RCMP confirm fatal plane crash in wooded area south of Nanaimo

RCMP confirm fatal plane crash in wooded area south of Nanaimo

RCMP on Vancouver Island say no one survived an early morning plane crash discovered in a rural area southwest of Nanaimo. Officers were called around 3 a.m. to a site near Twilight Way, a forested neighbourhood on the edge of the city, after receiving reports of an aircraft down. Mounties say the wreckage was found scattered across a large debris field, indicating a significant impact. Police have not released information about the type of aircraft involved or how many people were on board. Specialized units remain at the scene to secure the area and begin documenting evidence. Investigators
connect fm logo

Legals

Privacy policy
Journalism code of ethics
© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.
MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

About
Advertisers
Careers
Contact
Feedback
Accessibility Plan
BC Children's Hospital
Android app linkApple app link