Reports indicate that a B.C. police officer facing serious charges has tragically died by suicide, raising concerns in the community.
Shawnigan Lake: So, there’s some really sad news coming out of British Columbia. Reports say that a police officer, Sgt. Matthew Ball, who was facing serious charges, has died by suicide.
This all started when he and another officer, Const. Ryan Johnston, were charged with sexual assault. They were accused of having inappropriate relationships with a woman they met while on duty. It’s just heartbreaking.
The police found Ball’s body in a wooded area near Shawnigan Lake, which is not too far from Victoria. They’re looking into whether anything criminal was involved, and the coroner is also on the case.
It’s been a tough time for everyone involved. The Vancouver Police Deputy Chief called the allegations against the officers “shocking and disturbing.” It’s a lot for the community to process.
Ball had been with the Central Saanich Police since 2016 and had a pretty solid career before this. He even received a service medal earlier this year. Johnston, on the other hand, joined in 2017 and is also facing serious charges.
If you or someone you know is struggling, remember that help is available. You can reach out to Canada’s national suicide prevention helpline at 988. It’s important to talk about these things.
