A coroner’s inquest has been scheduled into the death of an inmate from the Saint John Regional Correctional Centre.
Skyler Brent Sappier-Soloman died at the the Saint John Regional Hospital on Jan. 31, 2022, two days after he was admitted.
On Tuesday, the Office of the Chief Coroner said a previously-announced inquest would take place from May 16 to 19 at the Saint John Law Courts.
Officials have not said how Sappier-Soloman died, but Tobique First Nation (Neqotkuk) Chief Ross Perley has said it was due to COVID-19.
In an interview in February 2022, Perley said family members of the 28-year-old, who was a member of the community, have many unanswered questions.
Perley said family members were told that Sappier-Soloman had been sick for days and complained of breathing difficulties before being hospitalized.
“We’re calling for an investigation to see whether or not the facility was negligent toward the needs of Mr. Sappier’s health care,” said Perley, who spoke on behalf of the family.
“I think the family wants to know why he wasn’t sent to the hospital sooner, and that may have saved his life.”
The presiding coroner and a jury will publicly hear evidence from witnesses to determine the facts surrounding Sappier-Soloman’s death.
While the New Brunswick Coroner Service does not make any findings of legal responsibility, the jury will have an opportunity to make recommendations to prevent deaths under similar circumstances.
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