Haven Dubois’ death ruled an undetermined drowning by inquest jury

An eruption of cheers and tears followed the determination by an inquest jury that Haven Dubois’ death was an undetermined drowning.

“Thank you, lord,” Haven’s mother Richelle Dubois said through tears.

The decision goes against Regina police and the coroner’s earlier ruling that the death was an accidental drowning.

After three days of evidence and witness testimony, the jury was instructed to come to a decision of the time, date, cause and manner of the 14-year-old boy’s death.

The jury found that Dubois died at the Regina General Hospital at 1:29 p.m. on May 20, 2015, after hospital staff ended their attempts to resuscitate him.

Friends and family of Haven Dubois filled the gallery throughout the three-day inquest into his death. (Gillian Massie/980 CJME)

Dubois was found unresponsive in the Pilot Butte Creek near his home in east Regina. Despite initial reports ruling the death an accident, Richelle has always maintained that foul play was factor in her son’s death.

The inquest began on Monday at the Royal Hotel on Albert Street in Regina, with the intention to determine the facts of what lead up to Haven’s death rather than assigning blame.

The jury could have made recommendations to prevent any similar deaths in the future, but did not bring forward any suggestions.

Richelle it has taken nine years to get to this point.

“I will take the wins, and this is a win for me,” she said.

Richelle was the first of nine witnesses to testify before the six-member jury, telling them she screamed for help as she dragged Haven from the creek, and later found a mark on his neck.

“Changing it to undetermined takes out that accidental piece that they were pushing for, which I knew was not true from the beginning,” she said.

A tree, hung with messages from Haven Dubois’ family and friends, will be planted in his memory. (Gillian Massie/980 CJME)

Richelle expressed her frustrations with the investigation during the inquest, accusing police of searching the wrong areas and focusing on the wrong facts.

“I think this goes to show that Richelle’s instinct in this matter was right,” said lawyer Rheana Worme, who represented the Dubois family during the three-day inquest.

“She had the right instinct here, and I think that the jury made the right decision.”

On Tuesday, the jury heard from a pathologist and a toxicologist who prepared Dubois’ autopsy report. The school resource officer and two of Dubois’ friends also testified about seeing him on the day he died.

The final witness was Sergeant Maria Rupcich with Regina Police Service’s Major Crime Unit. Rupcich said that throughout the investigation, no evidence of foul play was discovered.

Brent Gough, the coroner presiding over the inquest, thanked the jury for its efforts.