Inset of ill ness caused concern From page 4 libraries as he: could : to read the newspaper accounts. He kept pictures of Melanie Carpenter and Anna-Marie in his toolbox. * Anna-Marie ‘and Carpenter's killer Femmand Auger were both from Calgary. He felt the girl he loved was in danger because he was present. ‘He became paranoid of his neighbors. Curtains “ were.drawn tight. The microwave in the kitchen bothered him too. .:., “He seemed. to:. be frightened of the microwave vibes,” Adricine said. He stopped ‘cating. in: the week ‘before his” death. He. ‘didn’t ‘clean himself. He wore the same greasy clothes. ‘Benjamin had his coherent’ moments. He became increasingly focused on: polishing his tools and working on the éngine’of: his beloved Mustang. » ag oy » One day on his way "to work he found the: ; body of a man in a van who had gassed himself. On ‘keb. 24..he, was summoned to’ the North Vancouver RCMP headquarters to explain to the relatives of the dead tan'what he had seen. He didn’t show up for work, By Feb. 26 he was out of a job, Outwardly he played down the discov- ery of the suicide. The event had a “tremendous impact on him,” according to his mother.” A few days later her son came home with a | rope in his hand. He flexed it, toyed with it. He then dropped 10, the floor of the family room. Head down ke crouched and remained in place * for hours, rope in hand. She would later learn from Anna-Marie that he had been at Grouse Mountain. Benjamin wanted to hang hirfeelf in the woods. : By March 20 he was hired at J. R. Laser in Richmond. But the family's concern increased. On April !0 Adrienne contacted the B.C. Schizophrenia Society. “[ had no idea about schizophrenia, I only knew something awful was happening to Ben,” Adrienne said. On April 12 Adrienne, Terry and Benjamin's sister Vicky went to a B.C. Schizophrenia Society North Shore Branch support meeting. They leamed that the disease is a biochemical brain disorder. It can be controlled by medica- tion. By that time they were clearly seeing that Ben was schizophrenic. After the April 12 meeting the family con- nected with a psychiatrist in North Vancouver. Benjamin would have nothing of it. “He knew that something was happening. but he was not willing to admit that he needed help,” his mother said. On Easter Sunday last year, Adrienne took a midnight call from Anna-Marie, She was at Lions Gate Hospital. Benjamin was there. He had swallowed gasoline and some siccping pills. Adrienne went to the hospital. The nurse on duty told her that Benjamin was mentally sick and that he would be kept overnight. Adrienne was happy that her son was finally getting the professional assessment and help he hid refused. A Section 24 Mental Health Act invol- untary committal was allowed. It came with a maximum possible 72-hour detention period, On Easter Monday, Adrienne called the hos- pital to inquire about her son. He vas sleeping. She was told not to come to ine hospital. “f didn’t know what to do, how to get the best help for my son,” she recalled. Later that day a 5 p.m. meeting was set between the family, Anna-Marie and the week- end psychiatrist, Dr. Hassan Azim. Adrienne hoped to hear that Benjamin was in urgent need ‘of treatment and that he was going to be kept in care. ‘She brought flowers and a card for her son. He met his family i in blue hospital pajamas. He said, “I'm not going to stay here.” They saw a catatonic lady hugging people zombie- like in the hall. Said Ben, “Do you want me to end up like this?” _ The family came to the mecting with notes -for the doctor, describing Benjamin's behavior prior to his hospitalization. Said Adriense, “Dr. Azim seemed to be focused on the individual's right: within the Canadian Icgal system. Benjamin. was of age and | couldn't interfere with that process.” Dr. Azim said that Ben could sue him if he was kept in against his will. He said Ben threat- ened to sue him. At one point during the hour- long meeting, Dr. Azim left the reom, Benjaatin wagged his finger at his family and suid, ‘Tan going to jump ort of this window if you keep ie in here." During the meeting he seemed to be putting his front up again. He had charm and cherisma and could talk his way out of situations. Benjamin told the doctor the gas and pills iaci- dent was all a big joke. ‘« “was ina state of shock when Ben was let go,” said Adrienne. He eventually came home after he refused to drive home with his family. Things returned to normal. Benjamin pol- ished his tool box and refused to eat. He spent the next day walking in Stanley Park. She last saw her son on April 18. “The last thing { saw was his little hand pol- ishing on his toolbox,” she said. She believed he had gone to Anna-Marie’s and then to work. She went to work on April 19. At 8 a.m. her husband came in. She thought he had come to surprise her with a lunch plan. She didn’t notice the cop with him. They told her that Benjamin's body was found. Later that day Dr. Azim contacted her and gave helpful advice on the grieving process. He put her in touch with a nurse whose son committed suicide by jumping from the Lions Gate Bridge. Dr. Azim explained how he had offered Benjamin out-patient support at the hospital. The inquest continues. Hichao! Backer News Editor 985-2137 (114) Andrew McCredie Sports & Community Editor 925-2131 (147) m3 g 7 cn — Solid pine safe bed frame, brine foam core futon, scoten- garded futon cover, glows and pillow covers. witie gubatities fast FACTORY FON Entrance in feat fane Hon.- Sat, 11-Gpm Sunday 12-5 pm 267 €. Ist. ti.Van 904-4504 Dr. R.T. Walker announces Dr. Elaine Galt will be assuming the responsibilities of his family " practice Dr. Elaine Galt Family Physician #701-145 E. 13ch St. N. Vancouver new patients welcome 988-7511 3 locations on = North Shore COVE LONSDALE asd & Lonsdale 136 West 3rd. St. 988-6344 : DEEP Dollarton Shopping Centre g 407N. Dollarton Hwy. 924-1251 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters must include your name, tull address and telephone number. Via Internet: trenshaw @ direct.ca COMPUTER BBS 980-8027 User ID. raitdox Passwerd: letters Further itstrt-ons found in Hews conterence. ~ i READ THE HEWS OH THE INTERNET AT http://www. nsnews.com 1139 Lonsdale Ave., WEST VAN. Gentral Ambleside al eh de Ave, OR ART. OFF $10 off ist Piece ' $15 off 2nd Piece Valid on incoming custom ers, or artwork Neeth Vancouver, B.C, VIM 2H4 Surmunons are wektene but we cannot Aces responsthnlty koe rwcitic ded maaeriat in khang Muanecnps snd panies, ehh shuld be accornpanied by a sarge, sclfakeeaed emelige ‘north shore? “ls someon resident and as an active m recognize Clayton as one of the most inipressive 1 date tu ever seek public office. His iverse well-rounded experience and credentials are unbeatable,’ Clayton is a comtpussionate individual with an unwithéred social ¢ insclence. We need highly qualified and experienced representatives in Goverriment to ‘do a good joe for us, s. Clayton has been consulting with the re dents of North Vancouver/Lonsdale i backgt nd and