Betty Anne Gagnon death inquiry hears of caregivers' descent into drugs, depression

For at least the first few years she stayed with sister, Betty Anne Gagnon was surrounded by love, living in a clean, well-kept home.

That's according to Michael Scriven's mother, Mikaela Murray. She testified Tuesday at the inquiry into Gagnon's death in November 2009.

Michael and Denise Scriven were convicted in October 2013 of failing to provide the necessaries of life to Betty Anne.  

"I do know that Denise loved her sister very, very, very much," Murray said. "And she was included in everything.

"They took very good care of her — at the start."

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Murray said she first met Gagnon in 2006 when Denise Scriven became romantically involved with her son. She described the developmentally delayed woman as a pleasure to be around.

"She was very delightful," Murray told the inquiry. "She fit right in."

The Scrivens moved to an acreage near Ardrossan in the spring of 2006. It was located just a few miles down the road from Murray. She said she saw Gagnon on average about 10 times a month.

Every time she got together with her son and daughter-in-law, Gagnon was always included.

Warning signs began summer 2008

Murray told the inquiry she began to notice changes in the summer of 2008. When she'd invite them over for a barbecue, the Scrivens and Gagnon would arrive at 5 p.m., eat and then leave at 5:30.  

According to an agreed statement of facts signed by Michael and Denise Scriven for their criminal trial, Denise had a mental breakdown in September 2008 and was put on disability leave for depression, stress and anxiety.  

"Things just weren't going well," Murray said. "Denise wasn't working. I knew they became more and more isolated from family and friends."

Michael Scriven was also unemployed. They couldn't pay the bills and Murray thought their power was shut off. At some point, the couple began using crack cocaine.  

Murray realized the situation had reached a tipping point one night in September 2008 when Denise showed up at her home at 2 a.m.

"Michael and Denise had a terrible fight so she came to my house with Betty Anne," Murray said.  

"They stayed the night. The next day is when I saw the house."

Murray was shocked by the condition of the Scrivens' home. She decided Gagnon should not remain with them.  

"I didn't think they could look after themselves, let alone Betty Anne," Murray said. "She was a lot when you're not working and you have a lot of stress. I didn't feel she was being properly looked after."

Murray tried to get help

Murray went to the RCMP for help. She said an officer told her they had no evidence of a crime, so could not go to the property. Mounties suggested she try to see Gagnon.  

"So we went out to the house to see if we could see her," Murray explained, "and we were told no we couldn't, that she was in the bath."  

When they reported back to the RCMP, the Mounties said Gagnon had a right to live where she wanted to.  

Murray also turned to various government agencies for help, but was consistently told there was nothing they could do.  

The last time she saw Gagnon, Murray said there were no signs of abuse or malnourishment.

"She was still a good weight," Murray said. "She looked fine."

Fourteen months later, Gagnon died from an acute subdural hematoma. Her body was covered in bruises. She was forced to spend her last night alive sleeping in an unheated, squalid school bus.

"What starts out good in a family doesn't always end good," Murray told the fatality inquiry.

'I wish I would have done more'

The purpose of a fatality inquiry is to allow a judge to make recommendations to prevent future similar deaths.

A provincial government lawyer asked Murray if she had any recommendations for change.

Murray told the inquiry she thinks an advocate should represent anyone who is mentally or physically handicapped, and conduct regular house inspections.

"Every three months — because things happen and they happen fast," Murray said.  

"Unfortunately with Betty Anne, nobody did that."

She added ruefully, "I wish I would have done more."

Michael and Denise Scriven are scheduled to testify at the fatality inquiry on Wednesday morning. They have both served a 20-month jail sentence that was imposed in October 2013.  

If they appear at the inquiry, it will be the first time they've spoken publicly about Gagnon since they pleaded guilty to failing to provide the necessaries of life.