MOOSE JAW — A public inquest into the death of Ioan Pop is planned for next month in Moose Jaw.
The inquest will be held April 27 to May 1 at the Court of King's Bench at 64 Ominica St. W.
The first day of the inquest is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Subsequent start times will be determined by the presiding coroner.
According to the province's news release, Pop, 51, was found unresponsive in his cell at the Moose Jaw Police Service on Dec. 31, 2022. EMS was called and staff began life-saving efforts. EMS arrived, took over his care and transported him to the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital, where resuscitation continued. Resuscitation was subsequently stopped and he was pronounced dead.
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.
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 coroner's jury may make recommendations to prevent similar deaths.
Coroner Robert Kennedy, K.C., will preside at the inquest.
