Call for coroner’s inquest in Valley homicides
A coroner’s inquest into the deaths of Anastasia Kuzyk, Nathalie Warmerdam and Carol Culleton should examine the justice system to see if changes could prevent similar deaths, says JoAnn Brooks, director of the Women’s Sexual Assault Centre of Renfrew County.
“I don’t think this is a time to be silent. This is a time to speak up,” said Brooks, an advocate for ending violence against women, when asked about an exchange in Queen’s Park about the homicides that have shaken three Ottawa Valley communities.
The criminal court needs to deal with 57-year-old Basil Bortutski and the three first-degree murder charges he faces, she said.
But Ontario’s chief coroner can call an inquest into almost any death to make recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths.
“While holding the perpetrator accountable in this case, we can learn to work better so women aren’t dead,” Brooks said.
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