A recent coroner’s investigation has determined that the death of a 29-year-old man after an altercation with the police was accidental, with the hogtie technique used during the restraint being identified as a likely contributing factor.
Abisay Cruz passed away on March 30, 2025, following an incident that originated on the back balcony of an apartment in Saint-Michel, Montreal. His demise, along with another fatality from separate police operations within a 12-hour timeframe that same weekend, prompted public outrage and deepened mistrust towards law enforcement, especially after video footage of the incident circulated on social media.
The hogtie method involves binding a person’s limbs together behind their back while they are lying face down. The coroner’s report, conducted by Géhane Kamel, revealed that Cruz’s death was accidental, and he had elevated levels of cocaine in his system.
Regarding the hogtie technique, Kamel expressed strong reservations, stating that it is widely discouraged and either restricted or prohibited by numerous law enforcement and medical bodies due to its association with detainee fatalities and serious safety and human rights concerns.
The report delves into the specifics of Cruz’s final moments, highlighting discrepancies between the accounts provided by his family and the police officers involved.
Updates on this developing story will be provided shortly.