A coroner’s inquiry concerning the passing of Regis Korchinski-Paquet faced uncertainty on Thursday following unexpected claims made by the deceased’s mother during her testimony. The incident occurred on May 27, 2020, when Korchinski-Paquet fell from her 24th-floor balcony in the presence of police officers at her residence in Toronto.
During her testimony, Claudette Beals, Korchinski-Paquet’s mother, alleged that she witnessed officers pushing her daughter towards the balcony before hearing her cry out for help. This assertion raised concerns among legal representatives present, including officers’ counsels who were not given the opportunity to address the accusation during their prior testimonies.
Two officers at the scene, Const. Shane Beaudoin and then-Const. Adam Vandenbrink, previously testified that Korchinski-Paquet swiftly moved towards the balcony after being asked to speak with a paramedic. They mentioned that she had been permitted entry into the apartment to use the bathroom.
In light of the new development, a recess was called on Thursday morning to allow counsels to deliberate on the appropriate course of action, later extended into the early afternoon for further discussions.
The inquest learned that Korchinski-Paquet had a medical history of epilepsy-related seizures, often followed by erratic behavior, as confirmed by a reviewing neurologist. The inquiry further revealed that she had encountered two seizures on the day of the incident, prompting a call to the police due to a violent episode involving knives.
An independent police oversight body subsequently absolved the officers of any wrongdoing in the tragic event, attributing the fall to Korchinski-Paquet’s attempt to move between her balcony and a neighbor’s residence.
Although the inquest aimed to investigate the handling of epilepsy by first responders, it did not delve into the specifics of the various official probes into the case. The presiding coroner emphasized the importance of exploring epilepsy awareness, public support for affected families, and police response protocols during the inquiry.
While the jury in a coroner’s inquest does not assign legal culpability, it can issue non-binding recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
