Coroner's inquest into ER death back on, set for next week
Death of Darrell Mesheau, 78, in 2022 led to widespread political fallout and a police investigation
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A coroner’s inquest will be held next week into the death of a man at a Fredericton emergency room that prompted public outcry and dramatic changes by Premier Blaine Higgs to governance at Horizon Health Network.
Darrell Mesheau, 78, died in a wheelchair while awaiting care in the waiting room of the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital’s emergency department on July 12, 2022.
The news of his death led to national attention, followed by a political shakeup. Dorothy Shephard was removed from her health minister post, and then-Horizon president and CEO Dr. John Dornan was also fired.
The Horizon and Vitalité Health Network boards were also axed and replaced with smaller boards, which included government-appointed members.
An inquiry into the death was originally scheduled for May 2023, but was put on hold when the coroner’s office decided the circumstances required police investigation.
Chief coroner Heather Brander said at the time the investigation was warranted due to “new information” brought to the office’s attention.
Late last year, Fredericton police said they found no criminality in the case and ended that investigation.
The inquest is now scheduled for April 8-11 at the Fredericton Inn, with deputy chief coroner Emily Caissy to preside, and a jury to “hear evidence from witnesses to determine the facts surrounding his death,” according to a news release from the province Tuesday.
“The jury will have the opportunity to make recommendations aimed at preventing deaths under similar circumstances.”
Mesheau was a Canadian foreign service diplomat and executive civil servant in Canada’s immigration department. He was also the brother of a former provincial finance minister, under the Bernard Lord Progressive Conservatives.
The family issued a statement Tuesday, saying they are looking forward to the inquest finally, and the answers it hope it provides.
“This has been a very difficult time for the family,” Ryan Mesheau, son of Darrell Mesheau, said in the statement. “We have supported the coroner’s office since this process began quite some time ago and we expect the inquest will bring to light the details surrounding my father’s death.
“The family is well aware of the deplorable state of the health-care system in New Brunswick, and we hope that the recommendations forthcoming from the inquest will help drive positive change and ensure that no New Brunswicker will face such a tragedy again.”
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