Comments on: Glen McDonald: Vancouver’s Colourful Coroner

By: Kay

Kay — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 03:01:39 +0000

In reply to Georgia. I have the book ‘How Come I’m Dead? Couldn’t put it down. Have also visited the VPM. It was recently used in the Netflix series Untamed.

By: Dennis Trotman

Dennis Trotman — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 23:44:31 +0000

Thank you for the kind words

By: Dennis Trotman

Dennis Trotman — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 00:10:32 +0000

In reply to Chelsey.

I’m the oldest son Of Don and Flo Trotman
Ty for the kind words 💓
Dennis Trotman

By: Dennis Trotman

Dennis Trotman — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 18:17:44 +0000

In reply to Chelsey. I'm the oldest son Dennis Trotman

By: Melody

Melody — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 02:50:47 +0000

In reply to Georgia. I am looking to find a mans that had his autopsy performed by him. Is there any records kept. Murray Allen Boyd 1970. Ty for any help

By: Chelsey

Chelsey — Mon, 10 May 2021 16:20:08 +0000

In reply to Chelsey. Sorry I meant Barbara!! It was late...

By: Chelsey

Chelsey — Mon, 10 May 2021 03:19:15 +0000

In reply to Barbara Western. Hey Brenda... Florence was my great grandmother and I only learned about her death very recently at almost 37 years old. It is not something my family ever spoke of and I only just learned her name this past year. I want to know more about this woman and this lineage but it’s not something I know how to bring up about with my immediate family members as it is a very painful subject. If you would care to share some more memories with me or photos if you have them I am very curious! If you reply here I will get back to you with some more contact info. Cheers!

By: Barbara Western

Barbara Western — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 01:07:55 +0000

My great aunt, Florence (Flo) Muriel Trotman, was murdered on March 16, 1974 at a retail clothing store at 5738 Victoria Drive. I was only 6 years old when it happened but I remember finding out as a teen that she was stabbed to death by a male who had entered the store with the intention of robbing the cash float. Glen McDonald was the coroner who investigated this homicide and signed my great Aunt’s death certificate. There was a court trial but my family have no documentation or information about who was charged or found guilty in this case. My Grandpa Trotman was devastated by his sister-in-law’s murder and did not talk about it. I do remember him reading ‘How Come I’m Dead’ when I was a teenager, around a decade after Aunty Flo’s death. I recall him having a great respect for the work of Glen McDonald and I suspect it was likely due to Mr McDonald’s empathy and tenacity when it came to death due to violent crime.

By: Beckie

Beckie — Fri, 30 Aug 2019 13:42:13 +0000

Definitely a character, whether it be playing and singing beer hall songs on his accordion or piano or doing his job of serving and protecting the dead which felt very strongly about.

By: Georgia

Georgia — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 16:33:23 +0000

Glen McDonald is my Grandfather & it is great to see his name is still alive today. After all, he was quite the character!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Sat, 13 Apr 2019 04:45:45 +0000

Thank you, great article!!

By: Richard Skelly

Richard Skelly — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 03:05:55 +0000

Given the amount of research and sleuthing a dedicated coroner like Glen carried out, it’s by no means a prerequisite that a coroner be a doctor.

Still, I am surprised that there seems to be so few doctors filling those positions. The late journalist Barb McLintock joined the B.C. Coroners Service after taking a buyout from The Province. But I understand she did a lot of projects to improve the agency and how it deals with the public.

I grew up in Richmond during the 1960s. At that time, the Richmond Coroner was Dr. Richard ‘Dick’ Talmey. He simultaneously ran a family practice.

By: Sandra

Sandra — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 01:21:05 +0000

In reply to Eve Lazarus. I think he died at a friend's apartment on Harwood Street. He was an alcoholic and also it seems a pedophile yikes! So interesting Eve and I really like The Vancouver Police museum

By: Murray Maisey

Murray Maisey — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 23:11:45 +0000

Great person-post, Eve! I think I need to read How Come I’m Dead (a great title)!
M.

By: J tayler

J tayler — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 22:24:24 +0000

He also loved to play the horses at Hastings park. Big drinker. Served him many times.

By: Lou McKee

Lou McKee — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 21:18:29 +0000

Anyone want to comment on the phrase …. “In like Flynn”?

By: Fred

Fred — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 17:17:19 +0000

Fascinating!

By: Judith Dowla

Judith Dowla — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 05:00:04 +0000

Very entertaining and educational subject matter that you cover. Must add I truly look forward to each article you mail out. I too was born in Vancouver, BC and spent my young years at 1836 Comox Street before moving with my parents to Nelson, BC.

By: Doug Parks

Doug Parks — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 23:31:14 +0000

In reply to Doug Parks. Errol Flynn was rumored to have died at the Sylvia Hotel, but even the hotel will admit that he died in an apt in the West End. However he did drink at the Sylvia lounge which supposedly has a copy of his death certificate.

By: Doug Parks

Doug Parks — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 21:54:40 +0000

Another very interesting blog. I knew Eroll Flynn died in Vancouver but because of this post I checked out his wiki . More interesting stuff. Never good to lie to a priest, but he did have good intentions.