The family of Abisay Cruz is seeking answers from Montreal police regarding the use of a controversial restraint technique during an incident that led to his death. They are questioning why officers applied a method that the police service claims is not part of their training. Abisay’s brother, Josué Cruz, expressed the family’s desire to understand the use of such force and why a different approach was not taken considering Abisay’s condition.
Abisay, a father and the second youngest of five siblings, passed away on March 30, 2025, following a police intervention in Saint-Michel. The use of the restraint method during the intervention, as captured in footage, has caused distress within the family and raised concerns among the public about police actions.
The coroner’s report, released recently, determined Abisay’s death as accidental but highlighted the hogtie technique used by officers as a potential contributing factor. The hogtie involves binding a person’s limbs behind their back while lying on their stomach and has raised safety and human rights concerns in various police departments.
The incident unfolded when police responded to reports of a distressed man on a balcony throwing objects into an alley. Abisay, facing deportation to Honduras and experiencing sleep deprivation, exhibited a high level of cocaine in his system, as revealed by toxicology reports. Officers attempted to subdue him, with Abisay being restrained for over two minutes before being shifted onto his side.
The coroner’s report pointed out the lack of leadership from a police sergeant on-site as Abisay’s health deteriorated. Paramedics administered CPR, but Abisay was pronounced dead at the hospital. The SPVM clarified that they do not teach the hogtie technique, and the provincial police academy also confirmed non-instruction in this method.
The family demands accountability and transparency from the police regarding the unauthorized technique used in Abisay’s case. They emphasize the need for thorough investigations into police practices and the responsibilities of those involved. Abisay’s tragic death has renewed concerns about police interventions in Montreal and the impact on affected families.