Coroner's inquest into death of Ontario teen at provincial school for blind to begin next month
A coroner's inquest into the death of an Ontario teen at a provincially-run school for the blind more than three years ago is scheduled to begin next month.
Samuel Brown, who was born with a genetic condition that left him blind and deaf, attended W. Ross Macdonald School for the Blind in Brantford, Ont., and was 18 years old when he died. He lived on campus during the week and would return home on the weekends—but on Feb. 9, 2018, his parents learned that Brown would not be making the trip again.
“He came home to us on Feb. 2, he was very joyful, vibrant. He had no issues of anything that we had to be concerned about,” his mother Andrea Brown said back in 2020. “He left on Feb. 4, joyful, we hugged him, we kissed him, we prayed with him and sent him off.”
“We didn’t have any concerns because he wasn’t sick or anything like that.”
At the time, the family had been presented with conflicting reports from medical officials on how Brown died. A coroner's report said he died of natural causes, but an autopsy requested by the family concluded he died of pneumonia.
As a result of the findings and the family's advocacy, the Ontario coroner's office agreed on May 19 to execute an inquest into the death.
Since then, new details have been released by the family that shed some light into what happened to Brown.
An ambulance report, which was provided to CTV News Toronto by the family's lawyer on the three-year anniversary of the teen's death, noted that Brown was experiencing labored breathing around 5 a.m. An hour later, staff found the teen unresponsive with vomit in his airway.
“They rolled him into a recovery position and called 911,” the report said.
Emergency crews conducted CPR until paramedics arrived and Brown was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
A day earlier Brown’s parents were notified that he was refusing to get out of bed for dinner.
Andrea Brown is seen with her son Samuel Brown in this photo provided by family.
The inquest into Brown's death is now scheduled to begin around 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 15.
"The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding Mr. Brown’s death," a statement issued on Wednesday read. "The jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths."
The inquest, which will be held via video conference, will hear from about 13 witnesses and is expected to last five days.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.