Police said Samantha Sims-Somerville died from a toxic dose of GHB, a date rape drug, when attending a party in Victoria in April 2021.

Her death was initially ruled an accidental overdose. After reviewing the case in late October 2024, the coroner’s service has reclassified it to a homicide.

“Follow-up investigation revealed evidence that Samantha and her friend were intentionally provided an unregulated substance, without their knowledge, by another individual in the residence,” said the updated coroner report.

Victoria Police Chief Del Manak said the department has referred the case of Samantha Sims-Somerville to the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit.

No arrest have been made at this time.