An emergency physician at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) has been charged in the January death of his wife, 33-year-old Charlotte Coughler.
Dr. Coryn Hayman, 46, has been charged with failing to provide the necessaries of life and criminal negligence causing death.
Court documents indicate the charges stem from an alleged incident that happened sometime between Jan. 28 and Jan. 30, when Coughler died.
Barrie police charged Hayman on Feb. 10.
The doctor has been released on bail, with conditions including that he not practise medicine.
RVH manager of corporate communications Jane Cocking confirmed to BarrieToday that Hayman worked at the local hospital, but said she could not comment further.
“RVH respects the court-imposed publication ban and the judicial process and, therefore, cannot comment on this case or the speculation surrounding it,” Cocking said. “We can confirm that the physician cited in media reports is an active member of RVH’s medical staff, however he is not currently practising in our health centre.”
Barrie police communications co-ordinator Peter Leon also said he could not comment on the charges due to a publication ban.
“The Barrie Police Service respects the position of the court and will not be speaking in any capacity to the matter," he said.
The court-ordered publication ban includes anything pertaining to evidence, information and what is said in court
Coughler was a nurse at Mackenzie Health in Richmond Hill.
"Charlotte Coughler was a valued member of the Mackenzie Health team and we offer our deepest condolences to her family and friends during this difficult time," said Christina Cindric, senior communications consultant at Mackenzie Health.
According to Coughler's obituary, she “was passionate about nursing, working hard to obtain her PSW, RPN and RN certifications,” and was “especially passionate about working in the field of mental health.”
Coughler's obituary also describes how her work matched not only her occupation, but her personal life.
"Her beautiful, gentle, compassionate, loving heart touched lives and helped others in significant ways when needed most," it reads. "She was generous and intentional in sharing herself in a sacrificial and meaningful way. A precious gift not only to all she cared for in her career, but to everyone who knew and so easily loved her."
Coughler also loved travel, food, flower arranging, painting, pottery, the opera and "the occasional silly cat video," according to the obituary.
Her family suggested donations can be made to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation.
Visitation will be held at the Byers Funeral Home, located in South Mountain, which is about an hour south of Ottawa, tonight from 7-9 p.m., and tomorrow from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. memorial service in the chapel.
Hayman’s next court date is scheduled for Monday, March 2 at 9 a.m. in the Barrie courthouse.
