The upcoming coroner’s inquest into the tragic death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet, a 29-year-old Afro-Indigenous woman who fell from a Toronto high-rise balcony during a police presence in her home in 2020, has sparked significant public interest and calls for accountability.
Here are the key events that have unfolded in the case:
In May 2020, Korchinski-Paquet fell from a 24th-floor balcony while police were present in her apartment, leading to an investigation by the Special Investigations Unit. Her untimely death raised questions regarding the role of law enforcement officers in the incident, with her family, local leaders, and social media users seeking answers.
Subsequent to her death, protests erupted in Toronto, with thousands demanding justice and an end to systemic racism. Calls for police reform intensified, culminating in a motion to defund the city’s police force by 10% and allocate resources to community initiatives.
Despite the SIU clearing the police of any wrongdoing, Korchinski-Paquet’s family contested the findings, leading to ongoing legal battles and advocacy efforts. In response to public outcry, Toronto initiated a pilot project diverting crisis-support workers to certain 911 calls instead of police, aiming to improve responses to mental health crises.
Recent developments include Korchinski-Paquet’s family filing a lawsuit against multiple parties involved in her case, seeking accountability and reforms in the justice system. The announcement of the coroner’s inquest has reignited discussions on police accountability and the need for timely implementation of inquest recommendations.
