September 18, 2020

Inquest Into the Death of Donald Blair

A public inquest into the death of Donald Blair will be held November 2-6, 2020, at the Saskatoon Inn and Conference Centre, 2002 Airport Drive in Saskatoon.

The first day of the inquest is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., with remaining start times to be determined by the presiding coroner.

Blair, 43, was found unresponsive in his cell at the Saskatoon Correctional Centre on November 7, 2018.  Lifesaving attempts were made with CPR and 911 was called.

Section 20 of The Coroners Act, 1999 states that the Chief Coroner shall hold an inquest into the death of a person who dies while an inmate at a jail or a correctional facility, unless the coroner is satisfied that the person’s death was due entirely to natural causes and was not preventable.

The Saskatchewan Coroners Service is responsible for the investigation of all sudden, unexpected deaths.  The purpose of an inquest is to establish who died, when and where that person died and the medical cause and manner of death.  The coroner’s jury may make recommendations to prevent similar deaths.

Coroner Robert Kennedy will preside at the inquest.