Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

Experts Weigh In After Chris Hyndman's Mother's 'Sleepwalking' Suggestion

The Canadian Press, 08 Aug, 2015 01:38 PM
    TORONTO — A mother's suggestion that her son, TV personality Chris Hyndman, plunged to his death while sleepwalking has shone a light on the dangers associated with the disorder.  
     
    Glenda Hyndman told the Toronto Star that she believed her son fell to his death while sleepwalking on the terrace of the downtown Toronto home he shared with his professional and personal partner Steven Sabados. 
     
    Sleep researchers say there have been documented cases in which sleepwalkers engage in very complex activities and wind up inflicting harm on themselves or others. However, they say those cases make up the extreme minority of the situations they encounter.
     
    Hyndman, co-star of CBC fashion and design show "Steven and Chris," was found lying in an alleyway just outside of his home late on Monday evening. Police have not identified a cause of death but have suggested that there is no criminal investigation underway.
     
    Colleen Carney, director of the Sleep and Depression Laboratory at Ryerson University, said Hyndman's death would be a tragic rarity if it was caused by a fatal sleepwalking accident.
     
    "Injuries during sleepwalking tend to be mild, but there's tremendous variability in sleepwalking and also the severity of it," Carney said in a telephone interview.
     
    Somnanbulance is already an unusual disorder to encounter in adults.
     
    Dr. Sat Sharma, medical director for Toronto's Centre for Sleep and Chronobiology, said that less than one per cent of the adult population suffers from the condition that is most prevalent in childhood.
     
    Sharma said the majority of sleepwalkers confine themselves to wandering aimlessly in their homes and usually find themselves unable to perform complex tasks like unlocking doors or taking themselves further afield.
     
    Such actions are possible, though, for those with particularly grave conditions. Sharma said risk of injury is "very serious" in such instances.
     

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Wife Of Dead Officer Says RCMP Made Her Husband 'Scapegoat' In Robert Dziekanski Death

    The wife of an RCMP officer who killed himself two years ago claims that her husband was used by the Mounties a scapegoat in the death of Robert Dziekanski at Vancouver's airport in October 2007.

    Wife Of Dead Officer Says RCMP Made Her Husband 'Scapegoat' In Robert Dziekanski Death

    Jim Chu, Vancouver's Former Chief Constable Joins High Profile Private Sector Firm

    Chu has joined the Aquilini Investment Group (AIG) as vice president of special projects and partnerships.

    Jim Chu, Vancouver's Former Chief Constable Joins High Profile Private Sector Firm

    Report On Environmental Response To Vancouver Oil Spill Set To Be Released

    Report On Environmental Response To Vancouver Oil Spill Set To Be Released
    VANCOUVER — A report reviewing the coast guard's environmental response to a fuel spill in Vancouver's English Bay that soiled several beaches is expected to be released Friday.

    Report On Environmental Response To Vancouver Oil Spill Set To Be Released

    Long Delay Before Suspect In Murder Of Grandparents And Grandson Goes To Trial

    Long Delay Before Suspect In Murder Of Grandparents And Grandson Goes To Trial
    Douglas Garland was arrested last year following the disappearance of Alvin and Kathy Liknes and five-year-old Nathan O'Brien.

    Long Delay Before Suspect In Murder Of Grandparents And Grandson Goes To Trial

    Provincial Police Say Speeder Wanted To Reach Cottage In Time For Sunset

    Provincial Police Say Speeder Wanted To Reach Cottage In Time For Sunset
    Ontario Provincial Police say a car was clocked at 150 kilometres an hour in an 80 km/h zone earlier this week on the Bluewater Veteran's Highway near St. Joseph, on Lake Huron.

    Provincial Police Say Speeder Wanted To Reach Cottage In Time For Sunset

    Outgoing Minister Peter Mackay To Support Conservatives 'Where I'm Requested'

    CALGARY — Regrets? He's had a few, but outgoing Justice Minister Peter MacKay says he's ready to leave the day-to-day politicking behind and focus on family.

    Outgoing Minister Peter Mackay To Support Conservatives 'Where I'm Requested'