Friend recounts last conversation with Steven Rigby during inquest into his death
Steven Rigby’s best friend and Saskatoon Police Service Cst. Jordan Lapointe recounted the night Rigby died in the first day of the inquest into his death.
Rigby, 27, died on Dec 22, 2018 after a confrontation with police. Lapointe testified talking on the phone with his friend, who had a gun, while simultaneously listening to his police radio, as Rigby was confronted by RCMP and SPS on Circle Drive.
He said he could tell Rigby was terrified, but refused to listen and fired multiple shots out of his car window, while continuously telling him he loved him and was sorry.
Lapointe said he was on the phone with Rigby for nearly an hour and a half, culminating in hearing shots fired by police over the phone, and hearing his friend hit the ground moaning.
He also detailed incidents of his friend’s deteriorating mental health in the months leading up to his death, and said he remembered him making references to dying in a police shootout.
The inquest also heard from a former coworker of Rigby, who said “Steven just couldn’t find peace.”
She says Rigy’s mental health had been declining and that he had attempted suicide.
Both feel Rigby should not have been released from multiple stints in the North Battleford hospital where he was receiving mental health care.
Lapointe says Rigby was good at his job as a salesman and must have sold to the medical staff at the hospital that he was okay.
FATAL GUNSHOT WOUND
The inquest heard from the trauma team leader at Royal University Hospital the night Rigby died, who confirmed three gunshot wounds to the arm, the leg and abdomen. He determined the gunshot wound to the abdomen was fatal.
A forensic pathologist for the Saskatchewan coroners service also testified on day one of the inquest, revealing that Rigby’s blood alcohol level was .26, more than six times the legal limit in Saskatchewan.
They testified that the gunshot wound to the abdomen entered on the back left side of the body just above the hip, fractured the pelvis bone and hit two large blood vessels before exiting the right side.
The inquest had been planned for 2020 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an interview with CTV News last year, Rigby's mother said she believes his death could have been avoided.
“I do believe that Steven could’ve been saved if he would’ve received the proper help,” Carey Rigby-Wilcox said.
According to a medical report which Rigby-Wilcox shared with CTV News, the 27-year-old was believed to be at acute risk of suicide and had made comments expressing suicidal intent, including provoking police to shoot him.
The document was dated Dec 19, 2018 — three days before Rigby's death.
The inquest is taking place at the Saskatoon Inn Hotel & Conference Centre.
The primary focus of an inquest is to better understand the circumstances surrounding a person's death and inform the public of its findings.
Inquest juries typically offer recommendations about how similar deaths could potentially be avoided in the future.
With files from Pat McKay
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Some customers steaming after McDonald's ends free hot drink sticker program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Biden scores endorsements from Kennedy family, looking to shore up support against Trump and RFK Jr.
U.S. President Joe Biden will accept endorsements from at least 15 members of the Kennedy political family during a campaign stop in Philadelphia on Thursday as he aims to undermine Donald Trump and marginalize the candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
When new leaders took over in ancient Maya, they didn't just bury the former royals. They burned their bodies in public
New archeological investigations in Guatemala reveal that the ancient Maya people had a ritual of burning royal human remains as a public display of political regime change.
Party's over: Coyotes play final game as Arizona franchise before move to Salt Lake City
Mullett Arena buzzed like few times in the two years since the Arizona Coyotes moved in, the fans amped for one last desert hurrah.