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The Saskatchewan Coroners Service’s inquests into the 11 deaths on the James Smith Cree Nation have tentatively been scheduled for next January.
The killings took place on Sept. 4, when Myles Sanderson went on a stabbing rampage through the Cree Nation and in nearby Weldon. He was ultimately caught by police after a huge manhunt and high-speed chase, but went into “medical distress” and died shortly after his arrest.
Saskatchewan chief coroner Clive Weighill. (Lisa Schick/980 CJME)
According to the Ministry of Justice, there will be two separate inquests. One will cover the 11 deaths of the victims, and a separate inquest will be held to examine Sanderson’s death.
Such inquests are intended to establish the identities of the deceased, when and where their deaths occurred, the events leading up to the deaths and the medical causes and manners of the deaths.
The juries at the inquests can also make recommendations to prevent similar deaths in the future.
The tentative dates hinge on the completion of the RCMP’s investigation, the ministry noted, which is still ongoing. More information on the inquests will be released at least two weeks before the proceedings begin, the ministry added.
Clive Weighill, Saskatchewan’s chief coroner, said the inquests already had to be pushed back for that reason.
“The Coroners Service was optimistic we would be able to hold the inquests in either the spring or the summer of 2023,” Weighill said in a statement.
“The investigation is very complex and the RCMP is still receiving new information. We need to ensure that all aspects of the investigations are complete before we can move ahead to ensure the inquest is as comprehensive and well-informed as possible.”
Leadership at the James Smith Cree Nation has been informed of the tentative dates, the ministry said.
“We continue to work closely with the James Smith Cree Nation leadership and our Indigenous stakeholders throughout the investigative process, as this remains a high priority for the Coroners Service,” Weighill added.
“I’d like to thank the RCMP for the significant resources they have dedicated to this investigation and their tireless efforts to complete their work as soon as possible.”