‘He was supposed to be safe’: Moms’ statements open Ont. inquest for 7 Maplehurst inmates in overdose deaths
The coroner’s inquest into the deaths of seven inmates from drug overdoses at Maplehurst Correctional Complex in Milton, Ont., commenced on Monday morning with heart-wrenching statements from the families of the deceased being read aloud to the jury. The men tragically passed away either at Maplehurst or following their transfer to Halton Healthcare between June 2017 and October 2019.
The individuals who lost their lives, along with their names and dates of death, are as follows:
– Wesley Da Silva, 40, of Cambridge, passed away on Oct. 4, 2019.
– Cory Hemstead, 31, of Brampton, passed away on June 19, 2029.
– Shawn Irvine, 38, of Kitchener, passed away on Oct. 29, 2018.
– Derek Johne, 28, of Magnetawan, passed away on June 20, 2017.
– Curtis McGowan, 32, of Guelph, passed away on Oct. 6, 2017.
– Peter Ormond, 38, of Kitchener, passed away on Sept. 25, 2017.
– Rattanbir Sidhu, 23, of Cambridge, passed away on May 7, 2019.
The virtual inquest is scheduled to hear testimonies from 25 witnesses over a span of 13 days. The proceedings kicked off with Jai Dhar, the inquest counsel, reading out the emotional statements from the families, commencing with one from Wesley Da Silva’s mother, Liz. She fondly described her son as a charismatic individual who had a deep love for animals.
“Wesley was my only child, the love of my life, my precious gift,” she expressed. Da Silva’s mother also expressed her frustration with the system, believing that it should have ensured her son’s safety. “I did not get to hold him, nor did I get to hold his hand, nor did I get to say goodbye,” her statement conveyed. “He was supposed to be safe. He was there to pay for his wrongdoings, not to die there.”
Cathy Johne, Derek’s mother, shared similar sentiments in her statement, expressing her disappointment with the jail staff. “Derek was in custody. He was supposed to be safe,” she emphasized. Johne highlighted that despite her son’s frequent incarcerations, she found solace in knowing he was secure. “I believed he was safe, not overdosing on the street somewhere,” she wrote. Derek aspired to overcome his struggles, but instead of receiving the help he needed, he was exposed to drugs. “He thought he was going to be released in a few days, but instead, we had his funeral,” Johne lamented.
The inquest, mandated by the Coroners Act in Ontario, aims to delve into the circumstances surrounding the inmates’ untimely deaths at Maplehurst Correctional Complex, which houses approximately 1,500 inmates in medium and maximum security. The jury will scrutinize the events leading up to the fatalities and may propose recommendations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Among the individuals anticipated to address the jury is Amber McPherson, Curtis McGowan’s sister. In a previous interview with CBC News, she emphasized the importance of highlighting her brother’s identity beyond being labeled as an addict who perished in jail. “I would like to keep Curtis’s name going because he was somebody,” she asserted. “Nothing is going to bring him back, but I feel like we deserve answers.” Amber intends to honor Curtis’s memory by sharing anecdotes portraying his jovial and compassionate nature.
Inquests serve as a means to shed light on the circumstances surrounding deaths in custody, identifying potential safety concerns and proposing preventive measures to avert similar tragedies in the future. The families of the deceased inmates are determined to seek closure and advocate for justice as the inquest progresses.
