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Coroner reports Oliver teen’s death due to natural causes

19-year-old Aidan Pratt of Oliver died unexpectedly in 2017
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More than two years since the unexpected passing of 19-year-old Aidan Pratt, the BC Coroners Service has released the findings of their investigation into his death.

In a report released on Jan. 3, they determined the cause of his death to be exsanguination (severe loss of blood) due to a perforated duodenal (intestinal) ulcer.

They classified his death as natural and made no recommendations.

The Western News previously reported in 2018 that Pratt’s family was still seeking answers in relation to his death. At the time, it was thought he may have died from meningitis.

READ MORE: Family still seeking answers as meningitis scare diminishes

The coroner’s report said that on Oct. 12, 2017, emergency personnel were summoned to a residence in Oliver where they found Pratt deceased. His cause of death at the time was unclear.

In December 2017, Interior Health declared an outbreak of meningococcal disease. At the time, 11 cases had been reported in 2017.

This resulted in IH offering meningococcal disease immunization clinics throughout the Okanagan for youth in grades 9 to 12 as well as those aged 15 to 19 who do not attend school.

Two-and-a-half years later, Pratt’s father Lee said the coroner’s report detailing the cause of his son’s death surfaced unexpectedly, and that he was under the impression he would have it for 10 days before it was released to the media.

Pratt said he is not ready to comment further at this time.

To report a typo, email: editor@pentictonwesternnews.com.

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Phil McLachlan

About the Author: Phil McLachlan

Phil McLachlan is the editor at the Penticton Western News. He served as the reporter, and eventually editor of The Free Press newspaper in Fernie.
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