Jason Botchford's death caused by accidental drug overdose

Aug 28 2020, 8:22 pm

The investigation into Jason Botchford’s death last year is now complete.

In a statement from the late sportswriter’s wife Kathryn Botchford, she said the cause of death was an “accidental overdose of cocaine and fentanyl.”

“We were completely shocked and in disbelief to discover the cause of Jason’s sudden death,” Kathryn Botchford said in her statement. “This cause does not change who Jason was to all of us but just makes his death that much harder to comprehend. We are still grieving.

“We are so grateful for the outpouring of support that followed Jason’s death.”

The most popular Canucks beat writer in the city, Jason Botchford died last April at age 48, leaving behind his wife Kathryn and three children.

The news of Botchford’s death shook the Canucks media landscape and fanbase, as he was widely adored.

The Canucks have since introduced a new mentorship program in Botchford’s name for aspiring sportswriters, a fitting tribute to a journalist who repeatedly went out of his way to help young writers. Botchford’s seat in the press box remains vacant, except for young writers participating in The Botchford Project.

“Botchford’s Bench” is another tribute for the late sportswriter and sits in a park across the street from Rogers Arena.

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