Mother's Livestreamed Quest for Justice in Daughter's Death Case
Crystal Delvenne livestreams meetings with Manitoba officials over her daughter Cassity's death, demanding transparency after police refusal to investigate violent arrest.
A Mother's Fight for Transparency in a Tragic Case
Crystal Delvenne, a grieving mother from Brandon, Manitoba, has taken unprecedented steps to seek answers regarding her daughter Cassity Delvenne's death. After her daughter was violently arrested on June 12, suffering injuries including bruised ribs, bleeding ears, and hearing loss, Cassity was found dead in her apartment nine days later. Police have stated her death is unrelated to the arrest, but Crystal remains unconvinced.
Uncovering the Truth Through Livestreaming
Frustrated by the lack of independent investigation into the arrest, Crystal has begun livestreaming meetings with Manitoba’s police watchdog (IIU) and Justice Minister Matt Wiebe. "I’ve lost trust in these systems," she stated, explaining her decision to broadcast the discussions on Facebook. The Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) had previously refused to investigate the Brandon Police Service (BPS) arrest, prompting Crystal to take matters into her own hands.
Crystal’s daughter Cassity had reported to her that police beat her during the arrest. The Brandon Police Service initially claimed Cassity attempted to flee the scene, but Crystal learned through the IIU that dash cam footage contradicted this narrative. "The IIU received dash cam footage showing the arrest, which BPS had told me did not exist," she revealed.
Questions of Accountability and Transparency
Crystal’s advocacy has been fueled by reports from the Independent Journalists Forum (IJF), which highlighted the IIU’s low rate of charging police following investigations into officer-involved deaths. "The IJF’s reporting pushed me because I realized how the police aren’t taking accountability," she said.
Despite a 90-minute meeting with IIU acting director Bruce Sychuk on October 19, Crystal described the session as "pointless" and "horrible." She believes the IIU decided against investigating the arrest after an informal discussion with BPS before receiving all evidence, including the dash cam footage. The Brandon Police Service announced on Friday that it had concluded its investigation into Cassity’s death, stating a "definitive cause of death has been determined," but declined to share details due to privacy laws.
Crystal continues to demand transparency and accountability, emphasizing the need for a clear record of official responses to her questions.