Today marks the start of a significant inquiry into the tragic passing of Regis Korchinski-Paquet, a Toronto woman who tragically fell from a high-rise balcony during a police presence over six years ago.
Korchinski-Paquet, a woman of diverse Ukrainian, Black, and Indigenous heritage, passed away on May 27, 2020, following a police response to reports of a family dispute at her apartment. At the age of 29, her sudden death occurred amidst the backdrop of George Floyd’s police killing in Minneapolis, sparking widespread protests and calls for police reform.
This incident brought attention to the critical issue of how law enforcement interacts with individuals in mental health crises.
After an extensive investigation by Ontario’s police oversight body, the Toronto police were cleared of any misconduct in connection to Korchinski-Paquet’s death. The inquiry revealed that the tragic event unfolded as she attempted to move between balconies in her apartment complex.
Earlier this year, the announcement of a 14-day inquest shed light on the circumstances surrounding her passing, with 15 witnesses slated to provide testimony.
While the inquest jury does not assign criminal blame, it can propose recommendations to prevent similar tragedies in the future. However, these recommendations are not legally binding and cannot be enforced by the chief coroner’s office.
On the recent anniversary of her passing, Korchinski-Paquet’s parents, alongside advocates, pushed for the enforcement of binding recommendations arising from coroner’s inquests within a reasonable timeframe. Her mother, Claudette Beals, emphasized the need for an alternative system to investigate allegations against law enforcement, expressing skepticism in the current process.
“It’s been six years since my daughter’s passing, yet there has been no accountability,” Beals remarked during a press conference at the provincial legislature.
