It’s been one year since 14-year-old Carson Crimeni died after he was discovered in severe medical distress from a suspected overdose in a Langley park, and there is still no definite word when charges might be laid.
On Friday, Aug. 7, family and friends marked the anniversary by lighting candles at the Walnut Grove skate park where Carson used to hang out.
His father, Aron Crimeni, said police are releasing few details of their investigation, and while he understands why, it is still frustrating.
“The police say it’s in motion, but they’re not giving any information at all,” Aron related.
“We’re still hopeful.”
READ MORE: VIDEO: Grandfather speaks out about teen who died after overdosing in Langley park
Grandfather Darrel Crimeni said it was an “emotional” day, but he was encouraged by conversations ,with some of the teenagers who attended, that indicate the tragic death of his grandson is raising awareness.
“A couple said ‘it changed the conversations in our household about drugs,'” Darrel said.
“I do think it has [had] an effect.”
He described how some police officers also dropped by to show their respects.
“They gave me an hourglass timer and said, ‘if you think we’re running out of time, turn it over,’ ” Darren related.
As of Monday, a change.org petition “Justice for Carson Crimeni,” that calls for those responsible to be charged, had collected more than 62,000 signatures so far.
In response to a Langley Advance Times query, Langley RCMP Cpl. Holly Largy said charges could be laid in September.
Police earlier informed the family that their report on the investigation into Carson’s death was filed at the end of December 2019 with Crown counsel.
At least 30 people were believed present in the park the night Carson died.
RCMP have said they interviewed more than 140 people in connection with his death.
For the grieving father, who has been unable to work since Carson died, “it’s not been a great year at all.”
Aron has kept the text messages that his son sent him, and he re-reads them often, and also has videos of Carson taken with his cell phone.
“Sometimes they’re pretty hard to watch,” he confided.
Aron was pleased that some people had left flowers at the park before the family arrived.
“It was nice to see,” Aron remarked.
“We don’t want him forgotten.”
On Aug. 7, 2019, Carson was found in severe medical distress in a park near Walnut Grove Secondary and the Walnut Grove Recreation Centre.
Despite attempts by police, firefighters, and BC Ambulance paramedics to revive him, Carson died later that night in hospital of an apparent drug overdose.
Video clips posted to social media showed the Langley teen was barely able to stand or speak earlier that day at the Walnut Grove skate park while people could be heard laughing.
READ MORE: Family and friends mark birthday of teen who died after being discovered in Langley park
On Thursday, July 2, 2020, Carson Crimeni would have turned 15.
About 20 family and friends, including his dad, Aron Crimeni, and grandfather, Darrel Crimeni, marked the date at the Walnut Grove skate park where Carson used to hang out by setting up a decorated birthday box and balloons that read “happy birthday Carson Crimeni.”
dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
