Dates Set For Coroner’s Inquest Into In Custody Death

The dates have been announced for the inquest into the October 7, 2021 sudden death of a 40 year old Assiniboia man while in Moose Jaw Police Service custody.

An online notice states the Saskatchewan Coroner’s Office has scheduled April 15 - April 19 for the inquest into the death of Jeremy Joseph Sabourin.

According to a press release issued by the Moose Jaw Police Service at the time of the sudden death officers had been speaking with the 40 year old man just moments before his body was discovered.

Immediate attempts were made by officers to resuscitate the man who were quickly joined by EMS.

Those resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.

The inquest is being held under provisions of Section 20 of The Coroners Act, 1999.

Section 20 of The Coroners Act, 1999 “states that the Chief Coroner shall hold an inquest into the death of a person who dies while an inmate at a jail or a correctional facility, unless the coroner is satisfied that the person's death was due entirely to natural causes and was not preventable.”

In a June 2023 statement issued in response to questions from MJ Independent Saskatchewan Corner’s Office said the inquest is not to find blame but to determine the causes of what happened and to prevent a reoccurrence.

“The Saskatchewan Coroners Service is responsible for the investigation of all sudden, unexpected deaths. The purpose of an inquest is to establish who died, when and where that person died and the medical cause and manner of death. The jury and the inquest coroner may make recommendations to prevent similar deaths.”