The report on the death of Robert Stone at the Whitehorse detox has been delayed.
Stone was found dead while in the care of detox on May 2 of this year, just 26 hours after he had been released from the Whitehorse Correctional Centre.
The First Nation man had been in the care of various authorities for 14 hours before his death.
According to official reports, Stone had been released from WCC at 8 a.m. May 1, but by that evening was picked up by the ambulance at Petro-Canada gas station around 8 p.m. During transport to hospital it’s alleged he became combative, so was released to the RCMP.
At 2 a.m., while in the drunk tank, he’s said to have complained of chest pains, so an ambulance took him to the hospital where he was treated and released. Stone was then sent to detox where he died at about 10 a.m.
Family members were alarmed at the condition of Stone’s body. His head had bruising they believe looks like his head was slammed in a door.
They also wonder if he had been Tasered because of small black scorch marks around his head.
Coroner Sharon Hanley said his head injuries had nothing to do with his death, but her preliminary autopsy could not determine the cause of death.
The Medicine Hat Police Service is conducting the investigation into the Whitehorse man’s death.
The report was originally supposed to be complete in early June. Staff Sgt. Brent Secondiak now says he can’t promise any completion date. (Roxanne Livingstone)