Alberta coroner responsible for leaving soldier’s body hanging: military cop

OTTAWA – The lead investigator in the suicide of a Canadian soldier is blaming the Alberta medical examiner for the fact that the dead man was left hanging for 90 minutes after he was found.

Sgt. Matthew Ritco has told a public inquiry that the coroner was in charge and military police were only there to conduct a parallel investigation and to rule out foul play.

Langridge’s parents, whose complaint sparked the inquiry, are outraged their son’s body was left to dangle from a chin-up bar while investigators looked for evidence.

Ritco says the medical examiner was in charge of the scene and didn’t tell police to cut the body down.

Earlier in the inquiry, coroner Dennis Caulfield testified that he only required a few minutes to take a few photos and some notes.

The Military Police Complaints Commission is examining the parents’ claim that the investigation into Langridge’s death in 2008 was biased and intended to exonerate the Canadian Forces.