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Grief, anger as family mourns Langley teen who died of apparent overdose

A funeral remembered Carsonsa国际传媒檚 fun-loving life and called for change in the community
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Family of Carson Crimeni could not hold back tears as they spoke at the funeral service for the Langley teen.

The celebration of life at the Church of the Valley saw hundreds of people attend, including friends, family, Carsonsa国际传媒檚 hockey team, and his school community. They gathered to remember a teen whose life ended very publicly, as the moments before his death were filmed and posted online by people mocking him.

sa国际传媒淗e wanted nothing more than to be a good friend to people, and to have that friendship returned,sa国际传媒 said Carsonsa国际传媒檚 dad, Aron Crimeni.

It was a theme every speaker mentioned sa国际传媒 Carsonsa国际传媒檚 sense of humour and infectious sense of fun and energy.

Aron remembered that even when Carson was very young, he would play pranks. One day when Aron closed the fridge door, Carson yelped as though his hand was trapped between the fridge and freezer doors, scaring his father.

sa国际传媒淗e had his hand in the space between the doors, and he just laughed,sa国际传媒 Aron said.

He loved hockey, playing the guitar, and video gaming while chatting to his friends, his father remembered.

While Aron admitted he wasnsa国际传媒檛 much of a cook, often heading for the frozen food section of the grocery store, Carson had other ideas.

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sa国际传媒淗e would grab me by my arms and drag me to the meat aisle, promising he would cook me something, and he did,sa国际传媒 Aron said.

He loved the family cat Coco, wanted a dog, and planned to be a vet when he grew up, Aron said.

Every speaker mentioned Carsonsa国际传媒檚 big, joking personality and his energy.

sa国际传媒淗e had a huge heart,sa国际传媒 said Lisa Marie Fraser, vice-principal at Walnut Grove Secondary, where Carson had finished Grade 8 last June.

It was his desire to find friendship that many speakers at the service believe led indirectly to his death.

In the late afternoon of Aug. 7, near the Walnut Grove Skate Park, someone filmed Carson so inebriated he could barely stand or speak. People in the videos encouraged him to consume more pills.

He was found unconscious later that evening and was declared dead at hospital. Police are investigating the circumstances of his death and those involved in filming him.

sa国际传媒淚t hurts me to think of the pain my brother was in in the last hours of his life,sa国际传媒 said Bella Griffiths, Carsonsa国际传媒檚 older sister. sa国际传媒淗is life was taken, and he was just trying to fit in.sa国际传媒

sa国际传媒淚 feel theresa国际传媒檚 a real need for change to happen in our world, so this doesnsa国际传媒檛 happen to some other child,sa国际传媒 said Chantell Griffiths, Carsonsa国际传媒檚 mother.

His aunt Diane Crimeni broke down when recounting that Carson had finally got to play with her puppy for the first time before his death.

When Fraser asked at Walnut Grove for staff who had some direct connection to Carson, there were 28 members who spoke up.

sa国际传媒淐arsonsa国际传媒檚 character is a testament to the love, support, and guidance from his family,sa国际传媒 she said.

sa国际传媒淭he loss to our community is great,sa国际传媒 she said.

Several speakers mentioned the need for the community to come together to prevent any other tragedies like Carsonsa国际传媒檚 death in the future.

Aron, who had trouble composing himself as he spoke, said Carson was the one who brought his whole family closer together.

sa国际传媒淚 just want to say to my son, thank you for being my best friend, and my closest friend,sa国际传媒 Aron said.

Since Carsonsa国际传媒檚 death, an outpouring of grief has come from the community. A petition calling for justice has racked up thousands of signatures, and an impromptu memorial of flowers, candles, and stuffed animals has been created at the Walnut Grove Skate Park.

The Independent Investigations Office is looking into police actions on the night of Carsonsa国际传媒檚 death, after the first police officers to respond to a 911 call, sparked by social media posts, failed to find the boy. He was found about an hour and a half to two hours later after a second call.

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Matthew Claxton

About the Author: Matthew Claxton

Raised in Langley, as a journalist today I focus on local politics, crime and homelessness.
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