CANADA, June 21 - Released on June 21, 2024

A public inquest into the death of Joseph Bird will be held July 22 to 26, 2024, at the Coronet Hotel, 3551 2nd Avenue West, in Prince Albert.

The first day of the inquest is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Subsequent start times will be determined by the presiding coroner.

Bird, 35, was found unresponsive in his cell at the Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) on October 11, 2021. EMS was called and PAPS staff commenced lifesaving efforts. EMS arrived, continued lifesaving efforts, and transferred him to the Victoria Hospital Emergency Department. Lifesaving efforts were continued at the hospital, but efforts were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced deceased. 

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.

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