Kelly Rigby Wilcox, the mother of Rigby of the Health System, said: “The only sense of closure in our family is to help make changes.”

“I hope and pray.”

Starting Monday, a six-person investigative jury will hear the opinions of approximately 17 witnesses at the Saskatoon Hotel and Conference Center. The investigation is not a criminal trial; it aims to publicly determine how Rigby died and how to prevent deaths like him in the future.

The 27-year-old man was shot dead on the southwestern edge of the city at 9.20pm on December 22, 2018. He died after being taken to the hospital.

According to a press release from the Saskatoon Police Department, Rigby had a pistol and threatened to injure himself and the police. After refusing to obey the police’s orders, Rigby fired.

“Officials sensed the threat and participated in it,” the press release said.

Rigby’s friend and former boss Andrew Bebe said that Rigby’s months-long struggle with drug addiction and mental health issues barely touched the surface.

“This is a long struggle,” Beibei said. “Man, are there more ways?”

‘Broken Spirit’

Rigby is the eldest of the four siblings. He runs a telecommunications store in North Battleford and owns a second home in Saskatoon.

“I have always been jealous of Steven’s personality,” his sister Melanie West said. “He can walk into any room and make friends with anyone.”

His mother Rigby-Wilcox said his family was aware of his mental health problems six months before his death. She said he was an alcoholic, suffering from anxiety and depression.

Beibei said that Rigger than the appearance of success concealed a deeper sense of insecurity.

“He said to me,’I have more money than anyone around me. I am the coolest kid. I have everything I want. I woke up the next day and I felt empty.'”

After Rigby’s death, Rigby Wilcox obtained his medical records from the Saskatchewan Department of Health (SHA).

These documents include Rigby staying at Batford United Hospital after an attempted suicide in August 2018. He was forced into the Saskatoon Health Care Center in December 2018 and was discharged from the center two days before his death. A doctor noticed that Rigby had recently threatened to commit suicide by the police.

Throughout his experience in the health system, “he felt that no one heard his voice,” Rigby Wilcox said.

“His spirit is broken, and he needs to mend it,” West said.

Although Rigby-Wilcox has agreed to this, SHA previously refused to discuss Rigby’s case “due to patient privacy legislation.”

The health authorities refused again last week, saying they would not comment during the investigation.

“He cried out for help”

The list of family concerns about SHA is long. The staff who stayed at the Batford United Hospital, Rigby was hospitalized after an attempted suicide in August 2018, lacking sympathy and empathy.

Rigby’s colleague Shelly Martin accompanied him to the hospital in North Battleford for another visit.

“The doctor said that I was there when he said,’This is not a mental health problem, this is an addiction problem.’ No matter how many times he calls for help, no one in the healthcare system will listen.”

Rigby Wilcox said that during Rigby’s multiple visits to the Royal University Hospital of Saskatoon (RUH), an emergency room doctor asked his family to provide evidence that he was suicidal.

“It’s as if they don’t believe us. I just don’t understand. So many incidents have happened.”

Babey said that Rigby talked about being transferred from one doctor to another.

“For me, the error of the system is that if you are in this state, you need a winged man or a woman to handle your medication,” Beibei said.

On December 18, the police brought Rigby back to RUH, who was then a bender.

The next day, the doctor diagnosed him as suffering from alcoholic depression, pointed out that he had an “acute” suicide risk, and sent him to the Irene and Les Dube Mental Health Center in the hospital.

SHA has previously stated that the involuntary process will only be used when the patient is likely to harm themselves or others “or the patient may be severely deteriorated.”

A doctor pointed out that Rigby’s previous suicide attempts resulted in hospitalization in North Battleford, and his “recently escalating remarks expressing suicidal intent, including angering the police to shoot him”.

Rigby Wilcox said Rigby complained to his family that he was allowed to leave the Dube Center during the day.

She said he also said he felt pressured to give up his bed.

According to her description of what Rigby said, “[Staff] Say,’We have people like you who don’t have family support. They take methamphetamine, which is actually worse than you who need this bed. Are you willing to give up your bed? ‘”

“Steven told me,’Mom, what should I say?'”

He refused to continue voluntarily admitted to the hospital and was released. Two days later, Rigby died in a shooting incident involving the police.

Rigby-Wilcox said that she hopes her family’s experience will bring positive changes: more mental health beds, well-trained staff, and more guidance for parents of suicidal adults outside the hospital.

“All the problems we face as a patient and as a family should really be analyzed,” she said.

The police are in a “very dangerous situation”

The coroner’s investigation is usually conducted on the day of a person’s death, but the list of witnesses investigated by Steven Rigby includes several SHA health professionals, including the doctor who treated him at the Dubé Center.

Lawyers from different groups and juries will be able to question each witness.

Scott Spencer— Defence lawyer known for successfully representing Gerald StanleyThe man who was acquitted of second-degree murder in the death of Colten Boushie will represent the health authorities.

Another defense attorney based in Saskatoon, Brian Pfefferle, represents Rigby-Wilcox.

“Why did it happen, this is the ultimate question,” Pfefferle said of the shooting. “There is a very tragic loss of life here, involving a very supportive and caring family. Our police are in a very dangerous situation.”

The Saskatoon Police Department will also have its own lawyer to participate in the investigation.

Deputy Commissioner Mitchell Yuzdepski said that mental health is a factor in the Saskatoon police handling “a lot of” calls.

As heard in the 2019 investigation into the death of Joshua Megeney, bad calls can cause damage to police officers. Megney blocked herself behind the bedroom door and pointed a rifle at the officials in Saskatoon, prompting them to shoot. One of the bullets hit Megni fatally.

“This incident later broke me down,” a Patrolman testifies“It took me some time to get back to normal.”

The union representing the Saskatoon police said that members of the patrol meet people who deal with mental health issues every day.

A statement from the Saskatoon Police Association said: “Although most encounters are not considered dangerous to the public, our police officers will help these people as a last resort when they are in crisis.” “Can be used to help. Individuals dealing with mental health issues have limited medical and social support.

“The additional call load puts pressure on the resources and the well-being of the responding members themselves.”

Yuzdipski said that waiting for the interrogation to “make a microscopic observation of what happened that day” is also very difficult for police officers.

“I think members sometimes worry or worry that they will face some potential criticism for what they could, should or have done,” he said. “When something tragic happens, from the beginning, I think many members might say,’Will this be different? What can I do differently?

“In many cases, this is beyond their control.”

If you have suicidal thoughts or have a mental health crisis, you can seek help.

For emergencies or crisis situations, please call 911.

You can also contact the Saskatchewan Suicide Prevention Line for free by calling 1-833-456-4566, texting 45645 or 24/7 online chat.

You can contact Regina Mobile Crisis Service Suicide Hotline 306-525-5333 or Saskatoon Mobile Crisis Hotline 306-933-6200.

You can also send SMS CONNECT to 686868, and get immediate support from crisis responders through the crisis SMS hotline supported by children’s help phones.

You can also call 1-800-668-6868 on the child help phone, or you can visit the live chat for consultation www.kidshelpphone.ca.