Impassioned and emotional closing inquest statements from parents of inmate who died in custody

Drew Pearson’s family spoke at the coroner’s inquest looking into his death while in EMDC custody. CTV London’s Nick Paparella reports.

As the Coroner’s Inquest looking into the death of Drew Pearson nears its end, his parents gave tearful closing addresses, talking about the son they lost.

His parents both admitted that their 29-year-old son had his share of demons, but Judy and Phil Pearson told the jury that he didn’t deserve to die on a cold cement floor on Dec. 27, 2018.

Pearson, who had drug issues, was homeless at the time he was arrested on arson charges in connection with a blaze at a St. Andrew Street boarding house.

Over a 24-hour period, Drew was booked into the cells at London Police Headquarters, made an appearance at the London Courthouse, and was then taken to the Elgin Middlesex Detention Centre (EMDC).

All along, he complained to those in charge that he had a sore back and ribs. Drew requested to go to the hospital but was denied. Within hours, he died from staphylococcal sepsis.

At the inquest, mother Judy told those who were in charge of his care, “It never crosses their mind that something else could be going on internally that they can’t see, that bacterial infection brewing in his body.”

Through tears she continued, “Why couldn’t Drew have been lucky enough to have that person who realizes the responsibility that they have for a person’s welfare and safety ... that person could have been a hero. They probably would have saved our son’s life.”

When some witnesses told the inquest they wouldn’t have done anything differently on the day in question, the mother said, “You would think and hope everyone would be questioning, ‘What did we miss?’ And, ‘What can we do better?’ Otherwise, what is the purpose of this inquest?”

She went on to say, “Did he not deserve kindness to know that someone cared?”

Pearson’s father Phil was also very direct, saying, “Innocent or guilty he didn’t deserve a death sentence, he was neglected and ignored with his request to go to the hospital. I don’t understand the decisions of these people. They have no idea of the young man who died in front of them.”

The father wrapped up by saying, “Drew I’m sorry and love you and I’m not sure exactly how to carry on but for you I must.”

The inquest is expected to be in the hands of the jury for recommendations on Wednesday.