A recent coroner’s report has determined that the death of a 29-year-old man, Abisay Cruz, during a police encounter was accidental, with the restraint technique used by officers potentially contributing to the outcome. The incident occurred on March 30, 2025, on the back balcony of an apartment in Montreal’s Saint-Michel neighborhood. Cruz was one of two individuals who passed away as a result of separate police operations conducted by the Montreal police within a 12-hour period that weekend.
The specific technique in question, known as the “hogtie technique,” involves binding a person’s limbs behind their back while they are lying face down. Coroner Géhane Kamel’s investigation concluded that Cruz’s death was a result of cocaine intoxication and likely positional asphyxia during the police intervention. Kamel highlighted that the hogtie technique, discouraged by various police and medical organizations due to safety and human rights concerns, was highly probable to have played a role in Cruz’s demise.
The report detailed the events leading to Cruz’s death and revealed conflicting narratives provided by his family and the officers involved. Cruz, described as affectionate and close to his family, was facing deportation to Honduras, causing significant stress. On the day of the incident, a 911 call reported Cruz in distress near Pie-IX Boulevard and 47th Street.
While police claimed Cruz posed an immediate physical threat, witnesses offered differing accounts, suggesting Cruz was initially cooperative before the situation escalated. Five officers were involved in restraining Cruz, with the Montreal police yet to comment on the matter.
Kamel recommended prohibiting the hogtie technique and suggested equipping officers with naloxone kits and body-worn cameras for handling crisis situations. She also criticized the response from Urgences-santé, citing service shortages during the incident. The BEI, the independent police oversight agency, investigated Cruz’s death, leading to no criminal charges against the officers involved.
The coroner’s report shed light on the circumstances surrounding Cruz’s tragic demise, emphasizing the need for improved protocols and interventions in police operations involving individuals in crisis.
