Coroner Releases Report on Tragic Deaths of Quebec Police Officer and Assailant, Deems Them ‘Avoidable’

The deaths of a provincial police sergeant and the mentally ill man who fatally stabbed her were deemed preventable by a Quebec coroner. The coroner’s report, released Monday, contains 38 recommendations for improved communication between health-care workers and police to avoid similar tragedies in the future.

The incident took place on March 27, 2023, when the mentally ill individual fatally stabbed Sgt. Maureen Breau and injured another officer before being shot by police in Louiseville, Que. The man, Isaac Brouillard Lessard, had a history of mental illness and had been in trouble with the law multiple times. The coroner’s inquest revealed failures in assessing and supervising Brouillard Lessard, leading to the tragic outcome.

Poor communication between mental health officials and law enforcement was identified as a major contributing factor to the deaths. The coroner concluded that better coordination could have prevented the fatal encounter between Breau and Brouillard Lessard.

In response to these findings, the provincial government introduced a new law with a budget of $11.3 million over five years to establish a team of “liaison officers” responsible for monitoring individuals with mental health disorders who have committed crimes.

The report also highlighted missed warning signs in Brouillard Lessard’s case, including insufficient monitoring and inadequate follow-up by the mental health board. Kamel emphasized the need for improved surveillance of individuals resistant to treatment and called for a revision of the mental health board’s approach.

The tragic deaths underscore the importance of reevaluating mental health practices and resource allocation in Quebec, according to the coroner. Kamel emphasized the need for societal reflection and better support structures for individuals with mental health challenges.

Kamel’s findings will be further discussed at a news conference in Montreal, with comments expected from the Quebec provincial police. The report concludes with a poignant reminder of the loss endured by the victims’ loved ones and a call for a collective effort to prevent similar tragedies in the future.