‘Nobody deserves that torture’: Sister of disabled woman who starved to death testifies at inquest

Florence Girard, a woman born with Down syndrome, tragically passed away at the age of 54 in October 2018 due to starvation while under the care of Astrid Dahl. The heart-wrenching details of Girard’s final days were brought to light by her sister, Sharon Bursey, during the coroner’s inquest into her death.

Bursey described Girard as a vibrant and independent individual who was deeply loved by her family. She shared how Girard was confined to a room on the top level of a townhome, blocked off by a baby gate, with only a mattress on the floor and the movie Titanic playing on repeat. Bursey likened the conditions to that of a prison or concentration camp, where Girard was unable to reach out for help due to the barriers in place.

Despite efforts to have Girard live with her family, financial constraints and lack of support from Community Living B.C. made it impossible. As a result, Girard entered into a home-share agreement with Dahl, who was later convicted of failing to provide Girard with the necessities of life. The court heard that Dahl only answered Bursey’s calls when using someone else’s phone, highlighting the neglect and isolation Girard faced.

Girard’s weight loss leading up to her death was noticeable, but not alarming, according to Bursey. She emphasized the need for better support systems for families who want to act as primary caregivers, suggesting regular meetings between caregivers, families, and CLBC to ensure proper care plans are in place.

The inquest shed light on the importance of addressing preventable deaths and community concerns surrounding individuals with developmental disabilities. While the jury does not assign blame, they can make recommendations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

As the details of Florence Girard’s untimely death continue to unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the need for improved care and support for vulnerable individuals in our society. Her memory lives on through the quest for justice and accountability in her honor.