Korchinski-Paquet’s mother makes new allegation against police at coroner’s inquest

A coroner's inquest into the death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet is facing challenges after her mother, Claudette Beals, unexpectedly made a new allegation against police officers during her testimony today. Korchinski-Paquet fell from her 24th-floor balcony in Toronto on May 27, 2020, while police were present at the apartment she shared with family members.

Beals claimed she witnessed officers push her daughter towards the balcony, prompting concerns from legal representatives for the officers, who objected to the allegation due to the absence of a chance for their clients to respond during earlier testimony. The presiding coroner has recessed the inquest to allow counsel to discuss how to proceed.

The inquest has heard that Korchinski-Paquet had a history of epilepsy-related seizures, often resulting in erratic and aggressive behavior, and had experienced two seizures earlier in the day before police were called to a disturbance involving knives. Police watchdogs later cleared the officers of wrongdoing, stating the fall occurred as she attempted to move from the balcony to a neighbor's apartment.

The inquest will explore how first responders are informed and trained about epilepsy, as well as police response and its potential overlap with epilepsy management.