The family of Abisay Cruz is questioning the use of a controversial restraint technique by Montreal police that led to his death, expressing dissatisfaction with the recently released coroner’s report that did not clarify why officers employed a method not officially taught by the police service. Josué Cruz, Abisay’s brother, voiced concerns in an email to CBC News, emphasizing the need for transparency regarding the use of force and handling of his brother’s situation during the intervention. Abisay, a father and the second youngest of five siblings, passed away on March 30, 2025, following a police intervention in Saint-Michel, triggering public outcry and deepening mistrust towards law enforcement.
The coroner’s report, conducted by Géhane Kamel, determined Abisay’s death as accidental but pointed to the hogtie restraint technique utilized by officers as a likely contributing factor. The hogtie method involves binding a person’s limbs together behind their back while lying face-down, a practice restricted or banned by many police departments due to safety and human rights concerns. The incident unfolded after police were called to address a distressed man on a balcony throwing objects into an alley. Abisay, facing deportation to Honduras and sleep-deprived for three days, had a high level of cocaine in his system, which, along with the physical restraint, was cited as factors in his demise.
Despite Montreal police, known as the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), and the provincial police academy, École nationale de police du Québec, not teaching the hogtie technique, its use by officers in this case raised questions about training and protocol adherence. The SPVM stated that officers are trained to recognize medical distress signs and the importance of prompt medical attention post-subduing a subject. The lack of proper leadership during the incident and subsequent actions of the officers and supervisors were scrutinized by the coroner, advocating for the prohibition of the hogtie method and recommending the deployment of body-worn cameras and naloxone kits by police in crisis situations.
The call for clarity on police conduct and the need for a thorough government investigation were echoed by community organizer Stephanie Germain, emphasizing the significance of addressing the community’s concerns. Josué Cruz demanded answers regarding the decision to use the unauthorized technique on Abisay and highlighted the broader issue of fatal police interventions in the Montreal area, linking his brother’s tragic death to past incidents involving Fredy Villanueva and Nooran Rezayi. The family continues to seek accountability and transparency in the aftermath of Abisay’s untimely death.