Inquest into the death of Nicole LaFontaine focuses on response from staff at Regina YWCA

An inquest into the death of Nicole LaFontaine is now underway at the Royal Hotel inRegina.

LaFontaine, 31,had been staying at the YWCA in Regina for approximately one week when she died onJuly 22, 2023.

CoronerAaron Fox told the jury Monday thatLaFontaine was staying at the YWCA as part of an agreement between the organization and the Ministry of Social Services. That dealprovidesshelter services to women experiencing homelessness.

On Monday, the jury heard from LaFontaine's roommateat the YWCA. She testified about complaining that a buzzer in their shared room used to alert staff of an issue was not working. The roommate also complained that the crank used to close or open the window was broken.

The jury heard testimony that the window in the room was frequently left open toallow air to move in and out of the room due to the July heat.

The roommatesaid she had concerns about LaFontaine's health as the 31-year-old would begin seeing things that were not there during the evenings.Shetestified that LaFontaine was acting strangely and was experiencing some kind of "psychosis."

Fox told the jury that an autopsy had detected trace amounts of a variety of drugs in LaFontaine's system.

Roommate describes events

The roommate testified that in the early hours of July 22, LaFontaine began acting strange, muttering to herself and eventually trying to get out the window.

The roommate attempted to stop LaFontaine but was unsuccessful. The roommate testified that she had attempted to use the buzzer to alert YWCA staff that something was wrong but that it did not work.

Instead, she was forced to run up the stairs and physically alert staff. The roommate testified that when she returned to her room with a YWCA staff member, the worker looked outside and commented that she could not see anyone below.

The roommate said she looked out the window and could easily see LaFontaine's body.

The roommate testified she believed there was atleast ten minutes where the YWCA did not call 911. Under questioning from the organization's counsel, the roommate admitted she did not know when 911 was called.

Const. Matthew Kerr and Sgt. William Schmidt with the Regina Police Service wereamong the first to respondafter a 911 call was placed at approximately 2:45 a.m. CSTon July 22.

On Monday, Kerr testified they were dispatched for a call about a woman who had fallen out of a fifth-floor window at the YWCA.

Kerr said the woman later identified as LaFontaine was face down in the sand with what appeared to be a wound on the back of her head.

Kerr and his partner flipped the woman over in order to assist her breathing, which he said was coming in large gasps.

EMS responded just a few minutes later and transported to LaFontaine to the hospital. The jury has been told LaFontainedied from her injuries a short time later.

Schmidt testified that he made the call to advise the coroner of the death and have the service launch an investigation.

Forensic unit documentsthe scene

Const. Ryan Buhr, a member of the Regina Police Service's forensic identification unit, testified he was called to document the scene shortly after LaFontaine was transported to hospital.

He took photos of where LaFontaine was found and of her room on the fifth floor of the YWCA building.

Buhr testified that the window in the room had been opened, with a gap measuring approximately 23 cm. He noted that there was no crank handle attached to the window, but could not comment on when that crank was removed.

Buhr said he did not believe that many peoplecould've slipped through the opening in the window, but that it was possible for a petite woman like LaFontaine.

Buhr testified that no suicide note was found and there was no signs of a struggle inside the room.

Six people four women and two men wereselectedonMonday to serve as a jury. The jurorswill be asked to establish who died, when and where. They are alsotasked with determining the medical cause and manner of death. They may also make recommendations to prevent similar deaths.

Rob Ritter is serving as the coroner's counsel, while Dan LeBlanc is serving as counsel for the YWCA. Sixteen witnesses are expected to be called as part of the inquest, which is scheduled to run until Thursday.