B.C.’s Independent Investigations Office (IIO) has opened an investigation into whether police actions before Dec. 16 could have prevented the death of 45-year-old Pamela Jarvis in Merritt, B.C.. Her husband, Christopher Bernard Jarvis, has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder. The IIO said information from an advocacy agency raised questions about a prior December police investigation into alleged intimate partner violence connected to the case, signaling a review focused on process and accountability.
Highlights:
- Earlier call: Police had attended the Jarvis home six days before the death after Pamela Jarvis reported her husband broke down the door to enter.
- Advocacy push: Battered Women’s Support Services Association executive director Angela ...
B.C.’s Independent Investigations Office (IIO) has opened an investigation into whether police actions before Dec. 16 could have prevented the death of 45-year-old Pamela Jarvis in Merritt, B.C.. Her husband, Christopher Bernard Jarvis, has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder. The IIO said information from an advocacy agency raised questions about a prior December police investigation into alleged intimate partner violence connected to the case, signaling a review focused on process and accountability.
Highlights:
- Earlier call: Police had attended the Jarvis home six days before the death after Pamela Jarvis reported her husband broke down the door to enter.
- Advocacy push: Battered Women’s Support Services Association executive director Angela Marie MacDougall wrote to the province, the IIO and the City of Merritt seeking clarification on how risk assessments are conducted in intimate partner violence cases.
- Policy critique: MacDougall argued that political messaging focused on being “tough on crime” does not practically improve safety for people facing intimate partner violence.
- National trend: A cited tracking figure in the report says 1,329 women and girls died in Canada in criminal or suspicious circumstances over seven years, with 221 recorded in 2024 compared with 151 in 2019 (a 46% increase).
- Watchdog scope: The IIO said it launched its review after receiving information from an advocacy agency that raised questions about a prior police investigation earlier in December 2025.
None of that does anything for people like Pamela Jarvis in a practical sense. - Angela Marie MacDougall
Perspectives:
- Independent Investigations Office of B.C.: The watchdog confirmed it opened an investigation after advocacy-provided information raised questions about a prior police investigation into alleged intimate partner violence before the killing. (Vancouver Sun)
- Battered Women’s Support Services Association: The organization’s executive director said she is seeking clearer answers from provincial and local authorities on how police risk assessments are carried out in intimate partner violence cases. (Vancouver Sun)
- CTV News (as summarized in the Google News item): CTV reported the watchdog is examining RCMP handling of domestic-violence allegations following the killing. (Google News (CTV News link))
Sources:
- Police oversight agency investigating killing of Merritt mother - vancouversun.com
- After B.C. woman’s killing, watchdog investigating RCMP handling of domestic violence allegations - CTV News - google.com
- After B.C. woman’s killing, watchdog investigating RCMP handling of domestic violence allegations - reddit.com