Richelle Dubois, Constance Dubois, FSIN Vice-Chief Heather Bear and Pasqua First Nation Chief Matthew T. Peigan discussing the investigation into Haven Dubois’ death. Photo by Joel Willick.
A mother, whose teenage son died in Regina, continues to raise concerns on how the chief coroner’s office handled his case.
In 2015, Haven Dubois was found dead in a creek in Regina. A coroner’s report said the 14-year-old had a severe reaction to marijuana, which they say contributed to his death. Investigators ruled out foul play.
Since that time, Haven’s mother, Richelle Dubois, has questioned the investigation and has called on numerous occasions for a coroner’s inquest into her son’s death. The family renewed those calls on Monday afternoon.
“No mother should have to bury a child,” said Haven’s grandmother, Constance Dubois. “We saw an inadequate investigation of his death, and it has been a fight to get anything changed.”
Haven’s family believes his death may have been gang-related, and say when his body was found, there were marks on his face. These marks were not mentioned in the autopsy report.
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and the Pasqua First Nation, to which the Dubois family are members, are joining in questioning the investigation.
“Simply, we are calling for a higher degree of integrity when it comes to the coroner’s report surrounding deaths that have been deemed accidental, when it could have been criminal,” said FSIN Vice-Chief, Heather Bear. “Let it be known that the coroner’s office is being put on notice.”
Constance Dubois admits, she isn’t optimistic they are going to find the answers they are looking for.
“We just want the process done right,” she said.
The coroner’s office is currently set for an external review after a jury verdict earlier this month, where a doctor was awarded five million dollars after he was denied a job.
During the trial, there were allegations that the province’s chief pathologist made racist remarks related to Indigenous bodies in the morgue.
This is something the province denies, but an external review is set to take place.
“If that’s how they are going to treat someone applying for a job, imagine how they treat those who have already died,” said Pasqua First Nation Chief, Matthew T. Peigan.
The Dubois family hopes the review will help correct some of what they say are issues with the coroner’s office in addressing grieving families.
“The entire process was very confusing and frustrating,” said Haven’s mother, Richelle Dubois.
Constance Dubois described her experience with the coroner’s office as “antagonistic” and “arrogant.”
In the end, the Dubois family’s final goal is that Haven’s death be ruled as undetermined instead of accidental.
This is the second time the coroner’s office has been under review in the past year. The office went under review on how they handled the investigation of Nadine Machisnitic’s death at a Regina hotel.