Prince George, B.C.- The inquest into the June 2008 in custody death of 42 year old Cheryl Ann Bouey is underway and has heard testimony from  pathologist Dr. Vernon Bowes that the Prince George woman died quickly. 

He testified that it is his opinion that Bouey slipped into unconsciousness  within 5 to 7 seconds  of wrapping the drawstring from her pants around her neck.

Dr. Bowes says Bouey likely lost all brain function after 30 seconds. 

Under questioning from RCMP lawyer Andrew Kemp, Dr. Bowes said that had she been left unattended for more than three minutes, death would have almost been certain and the chances of reviving her were “zero to none.”

Bouey had been arrested in late June after police responded to complaints of a man and woman fighting in the bushes near the College Heights pub. Both were arrested and taken to cells at the P.G. RCMP detachment.   At the time, Police indicated their plan was to let the two sober up,   then release them. When officers attended to the cells, they found Bouey unresponsive and efforts to revive her failed.

The inquest was also told that when Bouey initially arrived at the P.G. detachment she was “in an extended state of impairment.”

The inquest continues.