Accused Vancouver Holt Renfrew robbery has died: coroner [Video]

The 66-year-old man accused of holding up a Holt Renfrew store in downtown Vancouver last month has died, the BC Coroners Service confirmed Saturday.

In response to a request from CTV News, the coroners service said it “is investigating the death of Douglas Ewing.”

“Because it is an open investigation, I’m not able to provide any more information about his death,” wrote Amber Schinkel, the service’s strategic communications and media relations manager, in an email.

Ewing was charged with robbery, uttering threats to cause death, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose after a Dec. 30 incident at the luxury store.

In a statement announcing the charges on Jan. 1, the Vancouver Police Department said a 911 caller had reported that “someone had entered the store, threatened to shoot staff, and attempted to steal merchandise.”

“Officers arrested the suspect outside the store, with help from a witness,” the …