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Police seeking new pathologist to investigate death of Daniel Levesque

Police are requesting an independent review into the August 2011 death of Daniel Levesque.
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Daniel Levesque in the recording studio shortly before his death.

Police are requesting an independent review into the death of Daniel Levesque, according to an article in the Victoria Times Colonist.

According to the article by reporter Louise Dickson, investigators of the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit want to use a new pathologist after a second report on Levesque’s death stated the principal cause of death was “consistent with cocaine toxicity in the setting of physical trauma.”

Levesque, an aspiring musician, died following an altercation in a Victoria apartment on Aug. 3, 2011. According to police, Joshua Bredo called 911 to say he had been stabbed in the stomach, arm and head by Levesque.

When police arrived at the scene, Bredo was on his back on the floor and Levesque was lying face down on a couch. They were both taken to hospital, where Levesque died of his wounds.

Bredo was charged with second degree murder.

The initial autopsy report, which was completed on Dec. 7, 2011, by pathologist Dr. Carol Lee  stated Levesque had two circular wounds on the back of his head that indicated he was struck by a hammer. However, the report concluded he died of cocaine toxicity.

As a result, the charges against Bredo were stayed.

In a new affidavit filed with the court on Aug. 2, Const. Margo Downey, the primary investigator, said an additional report by Lee confirmed the cause of death as “consistent with cocaine toxicity in the setting of physical trauma.”

The report has led Downey to retain an independent pathologist. She expects a new report to be ready in about four months.

Dickson’s article also says that messages from Bredo’s Blackberry were deleted just before police were called.

The RCMP are also allowed to hold onto items seized from Bredo as evidence until Dec. 8.