Coroner says Montreal police hogtie likely contributed to Abisay Cruz's death
A coroner's report concluded that the hogtie restraint used by Montreal police probably played a role in the accidental death of 29-year-old Abisay Cruz.
Coroner Géhane Kamel determined that the death of 29-year-old Abisay Cruz was accidental, attributing it to cocaine intoxication and probable positional asphyxia during a police intervention. The incident occurred after a 911 call reported Cruz in crisis near Pie-IX Boulevard and 47th Street, leading officers to use a hogtie restraint that binds a person’s limbs behind the back while prone. Five Montreal police officers restrained Cruz, keeping him face-down for over two minutes before turning him onto his side, and a supervising sergeant failed to intervene as his condition worsened.
The report also highlighted systemic issues, including a single advanced paramedic team serving the entire island on that day. Kamel urged the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal to prohibit the hogtie technique, provide naloxone kits, and deploy body-worn cameras for crisis responses. The province’s watchdog BEI investigated the case, and prosecutors decided no criminal charges would be laid against the officers.
Why it matters
It raises concerns about police restraint methods and accountability, prompting calls for policy changes to protect individuals in crisis.
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