A report by a coroner has determined that the death of a 29-year-old man in a police confrontation was accidental, with the restraint technique used by officers likely playing a role. Abisay Cruz passed away on March 30, 2025, following an incident that unfolded on the back balcony of an apartment in Saint-Michel, Montreal. This incident was one of two separate police operations resulting in fatalities within a 12-hour span that weekend, leading to protests and heightened distrust toward law enforcement.
The technique in question, known as the “hogtie technique,” involves binding a person’s limbs behind their back while they are lying face down. The coroner, Géhane Kamel, concluded that Cruz’s death was due to a combination of cocaine intoxication and likely positional asphyxia during the police intervention. Kamel highlighted that this restraint method is widely discouraged and prohibited by various police and medical organizations due to its association with deaths in custody and significant safety and human rights concerns.
The report detailed Cruz’s final moments and highlighted conflicting narratives from his family and the attending police officers. Cruz, described as a loving individual with a strong family bond, was facing deportation to Honduras, adding to his stress levels. The incident unfolded after a 911 call reporting a man in distress near Pie-IX Boulevard and 47th Street, with police claiming Cruz posed an immediate physical threat while witnesses provided differing accounts.
A total of five officers were involved in restraining Cruz, with the coroner recommending a ban on the hogtie technique. The report also criticized the lack of leadership from a police sergeant on the scene and called for the Montreal police to equip officers with naloxone kits and body-worn cameras for crisis situations. Additionally, the response from Urgences-santé was criticized for service shortages on the day of Cruz’s death.
While the BEI investigation into Cruz’s death did not result in criminal charges against the officers, the coroner’s report raises concerns about the police response and emphasizes the need for improved protocols and equipment to prevent similar incidents in the future.