Sask. aunt wants to see changes after nephew died in a RCMP holding cell

An inquest into the death of a man who was found unresponsive in an RCMP holding cell wrapped up Wednesday afternoon. The family hopes to see changes to help prevent similar incidents.

An inquest into the death of a man who was found unresponsive in an RCMP holding cell wrapped up Wednesday afternoon. The family hopes to see changes to help prevent similar incidents.

Cain Wapass, 28, died of alcohol withdrawal in an Ahtahkakoop First Nation RCMP detachment in August of 2020. His aunt Jeannette Wapass said she finally got answers.

“We never did know how he passed, until a few days ago,” Jeannette said as tears streamed down her face.

The purpose of an inquest is to publicly review the circumstances of a death.

The jury ruled Cain’s death accidental. It recommended both RCMP and EMS receive training on the signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and substance abuse, after the majority of the witnesses testified they did not know alcohol withdrawal could be fatal.

“This, I hope will open the eyes to be educated,” she said.

Jeannette said Cain did have issues with alcohol, but he was trying to get sober for his daughter. Earlier the inquest heard a police statement from Wapass’ stepfather Robert Durocher who has since died.