Updated: January 12, 2026 at 16:50 with SPS response
The family of Trevor Dubois says they have been “left in the dark” about what happened when he died in hospital in Saskatoon.
They also say they felt “blindsided” by a Saskatoon Police Service statement on the investigation Monday morning.
According to the Saskatchewan Health Authority, Dubois died after a physical altercation with security officials at Royal University Hospital on Friday morning.
Few other details have been released, and the family of Trevor say they have also had “next to zero” communication from authorities as to what happened.
Meanwhile, two investigations are underway – one from the Saskatchewan Health Authority and a criminal investigation by the Saskatoon Police Service.
The family of Trevor Dubois held a press conference Monday morning hosted by the Saskatoon Tribal Council where they described Trevor as a loving man who cared for his community.
Dubois, 36, grew up in Prince Albert, was living in Saskatoon, and was a member of Muskoday First Nation. His family says he would also travel to northern Saskatchewan providing mental health supports for youth.
His family says he was admitted to hospital on Monday for cancer treatment.
Dubois was described as someone who would “never be a threat” to anyone. His family also says during his nearly five days at the hospital the never heard any reports of unruly behaviour.
Family feels left in the dark as to what happened
The family says they have received no communication from the investigators over the past three days as to what happened to Trevor.
“After I lost my boy, I was left in the dark,” said Trevor Dubois’ mother Val Dubois who says her only conversations with investigators so far, was them informing her Trevor had died. “All I am asking for is some answers.”
That sentiment was clear from the family and friends who spoke. Speaking highly of Trevor and calling for answers, accountability, and change following his death.
“When is enough enough, why couldn’t this be stopped before my brother died?” said Trevor’s brother Ryan Dubois. “No security should have the right to kill or murder anyone. To say this situation could have been prevented in a dozen other ways would be an understatement ”
Trevor’s brother asked for the public to refrain from sharing opinions and rumours on social media and to let the investigation unfold.
Meanwhile, STC Chief Mark Arcand says this is further proof of continued systemic racism in Saskatchewan’s healthcare system.
“We have to address the systemic racism that keeps happening to First Nations people in healthcare,” said Arcand. “The worst case scenario happened to Trevor and his family. He lost his life.”
Saskatoon police issue statement on imitation firearm
Just over an hour before the press conference at the STC head office, the Saskatoon Police Service released a statement on their investigation.
According to the statement, police were called to the hospital after Trevor had died.
Police say hospital security entered Trevor’s room on the report of a firearm when the altercation took place. Police say an imitation firearm was found in the room along with methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia after the incident.
However, the family of Trevor Dubois says they were “blindsided” by the police statement.
The family says police gave them no notice that the statement was going to be released and are also disputing that Trevor had anything in his possession that could reasonably be mistaken for a firearm.
His family did say Trevor had a pink cigarette holder and lighter that was in the shape of a gun, but say they would be surprised if it was mistaken as a real firearm.
Some family members are also questioning if a gun was believed to be in Trevor’s room why police weren’t called immediately.
When asked by a reporter if they felt the statement from police was a possible way to shift the narrative, many nodded in agreement.
“They are just trying to tear apart my brother’s character,” said Ryan Dubois.
Trevor’s neice Jadyn Dubois says she feels that agencies meant to help them are “working against us.”
MBC Radio News reached out to the Saskatoon Police Service for a photo of the imitation firearm along with a request for a possible written description of the imitation firearm if a photo was unavailable for public release. In response, the SPS says as the investigation is ongoing they are unable to confirm or comment on any specifics or provide additional details beyond what has already been released publicly. The SPS says they recognize it is an extremely difficult situation for the family and say they will provide updates when it is appropriate to do so. In a follow-up question, MBC Radio News asked what made it appropriate for SPS to release publicly the finding of meth, drug paraphernalia, and an imitation firearm, during what is said to be an active investigation? The SPS says, the information released is standard to our practices – confirming what was reported to police, what was located upon police arrival, and what it was determined to be.
In the meantime, Trevor’s family continued to reiterate their request for the public to withhold comment until the investigation unfolds.