Questions mount over how homeless Fredericton woman died while living in tent

Politicians and a Fredericton shelter director want answers about what gaps in support may have led to the death of a homeless woman who was living in a tent.

"This is a horrifying, horrifying situation and it can't happen again," said Green Party Leader and Fredericton South MLA David Coon.

Coroner Services says it is investigating after the woman was found dead at a tent camp on Fredericton's north side in November, according to spokesperson Geoffrey Downey.

Downey did not comment on the cause of death and said Coroner Services is waiting for final police and autopsy reports before deciding whether to hold a coroner's inquest.

Coon said with the information that's already known, he thinks a coroner's inquest should be called immediately to prevent something similar happening in the future.

"New Brunswickers need to know the details of what happened. How did this come about? And what are the gaps in the system that brought this about?" Coon said.

"It's only when the public is well tuned in to a tragedy like this, understand what's happened, that there is sufficient public pressure to ensure that the coroner's recommendations get fully acted upon and acted upon with some sense of urgency."

Downey, in an email, said a crucial part of the decision-making process for holding a coroner's inquest, is first having as many facts and as much evidence as possible.

CBC News first learned about the woman's death and the circumstances surrounding it from Dr. Sara Davidson, medical director of the Riverstone Recovery Centre, which serves as a downtown addictions treatment centre.

Davidson said prior to her death, the woman needed a life-saving operation, but was denied it by another doctor because of her status as a homeless person.

Davidson said the reason given was that the woman would not have the appropriate home setting to recover post-operation.

Davidson said she knew the woman personally through her role at Riverstone Recovery Centre, but declined to specify her relationship with the woman or how she obtained her health information.

CBC News contacted Horizon Health for information about this case but did not receive a response by deadline.

Coon said details shared by Davidson add even more reason for the incident to be investigated.