Skip to content

Langley teen who died of apparent drug overdose to receive a hockey-themed memorial

Police report on Carson Crimeni case now in the hands of Crown counsel
20605761_web1_200218-LAT-Carson-remembered_2
Carson Crimeni may not have been the fastest player on the ice, but he had fun, his grandfather recalled. His jersey will be go on display as part of a hockey-themed memorial at the Langley Sportsplex where the 14-year-old used to play (file)

When Carson Crimeni was playing right wing in the Langley Minor Hockey League, he wasn’t the fastest skater on the ice.

But he was a tactical player, who would park himself in front of the other team’s net, and use that position to shovel the puck back in on a rebound.

They might have been “garbage goals,” his grandfather, Darrel Crimeni, commented, but they still counted.

“A goal is a goal,” Darrel observed.

READ MORE: Almost 100 witnesses spoke to police in Carson Crimeni investigation

On Friday, Feb. 21 at 10 a.m., a memorial to Carson will be unveiled at the Langley Sportsplex on 20165 91A Ave. where he used to play.

The event will be open to the public.

“It was his home rink,” Darrel explained.

Carson’s jersey with his number 14 has been neatly folded and mounted in a shadow box display along with a photo of him in his hockey garb, smiling.

“He had fun,” Darrel recalled.

After Carson died, a young player got his hockey gear, purchased when he had just outgrown his last set of skates and pads.

Darrel views the memorial, the idea of Carson’s last team manager, as another way of educating people about the kind of drug abuse that is believed responsible for Carson’s death, after he was discovered in severe medical distress near the Walnut Grove skate park last August.

“It’s about public awareness,” Darrel told the Langley Advance Times, more than a reminder of his late grandson.

“We’ve got lots of fond memories of Carson.”

Darrel supports the idea of renaming the skate park after Carson, but he is doubtful it will happen, despite an online campaign launched by a Langley dad whose online petition at change.org, “Rename WG Skateboard Park – Carson Crimeni Memorial Skate Park” has collected more than 3,800 signatures so far.

Police have informed the family that their report on the investigation into Carson’s death has been given to the Crown counsel prosecutor’s office, which will decide whether charges are laid.

They were told it was filed at the end of December, said Darrel.

“We’re still waiting [to hear if any charges will be laid].”

For Pink Shirt Day on Feb. 26, Darrel had four dozen t-shirts printed up with the anti-bullying message “play and be kind 4 Carson” to give away.

He ran out almost instantly.

“I could have made a hundred,” he estimated.

Some people suggested he could have sold the t shirts to raise funds rather than give them away, something Darrel hadn’t considered, but might try next year.

READ MORE: A Christmas without Carson

READ MORE: A Halloween memorial for Langley teen who died of apparent drug overdose

Carson was found in severe medical distress in the area of the Walnut Grove skate park on Aug. 7 by police who tried to revive him while waiting for paramedics to arrive.

Video clips posted to social media show the Langley teen barely able to stand or speak while people can be heard laughing.

READ MORE: VIDEO: Grandfather speaks out about teen who died after overdosing in Langley park

READ MORE: Carson: A Langley teen’s death on social media

READ MORE: Social media posts about Carson Crimeni could hamper investigation, police warn

His father Aron said he has been told an autopsy found no injuries or health problems that would account for the 14-year-old Langley teen’s death.

READ MORE: No negligence in RCMP actions in Carson Crimeni death: Watchdog

A review by the police watchdog Independent Investigations Office (IIO) found the officers who tried and failed to locate Carson Crimeni on that night acted properly.

In the report, IIO chief director Ronald J. MacDonald described how, by the time the first officers arrived at the Walnut Grove Skate Park on Aug. 7 to search for Carson, the boy and the group of teens he was thought to be with had left.

A second 9-1-1 call about Carson came at 10:39 p.m., after he was discovered near the baseball diamond, and paramedics and police were again dispatched, this time finding him.

He was rushed to hospital but died later that night.



dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

20605761_web1_200218-LAT-Carson-remembered_3
Darrel Crimeni, seen here with his grandson Carson’s pet cat Koko, considers a hockey-themed memorial an opportunity to raise public awareness. It will be officially unveiled on Friday at the Langley Sportsplex (file)
20605761_web1_200218-LAT-Carson-remembered_4
Darrel Crimeni had four dozen t-shirts made up in memory of his grandson Carson for anti-bullying awareness on Pink Shirt Day. His supply was exhausted almost instantly. (file)
20605761_web1_200218-LAT-Carson-remembered_5


Dan Ferguson

About the Author: Dan Ferguson

Best recognized for my resemblance to St. Nick, I’m the guy you’ll often see out at community events and happenings around town.
Read more