Family of homicide victim Richard Fernuk questions hospital decision to release him

Richard Fernuk's family wants to know how a 68-year-old man with a heart condition, mental illness and no car got discharged from St. Paul's Hospital in the middle of the night into one of Saskatoon's most dangerous neighbourhoods.

Police discovered Fernuk's body in his Exhibition-area apartment on Aug. 3 and later named himSaskatoon's ninth homicide victim of the year.

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Fernuk had last been seen leaving St. Paul's Hospital 36 hours earlier. He had a history of heart problems and had arrived by ambulance at St. Paul's complaining of chest pains. He was assessed and, four hours later, voluntarily discharged.

Leah Howie, Fernuk's eldest daughter, said their family questions how their father came to be released into that neighbourhood, in the middle of the night, on a Friday before a summer long weekend.

"Are there discharge procedures?" Howie asked.

"Is there a special one for St. Paul's Hospital, given what has been going on in Pleasant Hill lately,how dangerous that area of Saskatoon seems to be?"

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) provided CBC with a written statement on security procedures at the hospital. It shows an awareness that the area can be dangerous.

According to SHA, security officers are on the premises around the clock. Officers are available at the entrances of the hospital andthey patrol the building and grounds regularly.

Security Services also offers a Safe Walk/Ride program for staff, patients, families and visitors that is accessibleat any time.

Howie said her father had a diagnosed mental illness that made his discharge troubling.

"Was his mental fitness or capacity assessed or considered when he was there and before he was released? His mental illness just adds another layer of vulnerability to what already a very vulnerable person," she said.

A 37-year-old man is charged with first-degree murder, robbery and unlawful confinement in connection with Fernuk's death.

Leo Roy Daniels is scheduled to return to provincial court in Saskatoon on Tuesday.

Police say they do not believe that Daniels and Fernuk were known to each other.