A recent report by a coroner has determined that the death of a 29-year-old man following an encounter with police was accidental. However, the use of a technique called the “hogtie” by officers to restrain him likely played a role in the incident. Abisay Cruz passed away on March 30, 2025, after an incident that originated on a balcony in Saint-Michel, Montreal.
Cruz was one of two individuals who lost their lives in separate police operations conducted by Montreal police within a 12-hour period that weekend. The aftermath of his death, along with footage of the intervention that circulated on social media, led to protests in the neighborhood and exacerbated existing mistrust towards law enforcement.
The “hogtie technique” involves binding an individual’s limbs behind their back while they are lying face down and is considered controversial due to its association with deaths in custody and concerns regarding safety and human rights.
According to Coroner Géhane Kamel, Cruz’s death was linked to cocaine intoxication and likely positional asphyxia during the police intervention. Kamel highlighted that numerous police and medical organizations restrict or prohibit the use of the hogtie technique due to its potential risks.
Kamel’s report revealed that Cruz, described as a caring individual with a close family bond, was facing deportation to Honduras, causing significant stress. The incident leading to his death began when a 911 call reported a man in distress near Pie-IX Boulevard and 47th Street. While police claimed Cruz posed an immediate physical threat, other witnesses suggested he was cooperative before the situation escalated.
Five police officers were involved in restraining Cruz, with Kamel acknowledging the perceived threat to both the individuals inside the apartment and Cruz himself. The Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI), Quebec’s independent police watchdog, investigated the incident and determined no criminal charges against the officers.
Kamel recommended banning the hogtie technique and urged Montreal police to provide officers with naloxone kits and body-worn cameras for crisis situations involving the use of force. Montreal police expressed commitment to implementing these suggestions.
Alain Babineau, a former RCMP staff sergeant from The Red Coalition, criticized the findings, questioning the SPVM’s training practices. The report also highlighted deficiencies in Urgences-santé’s response due to service shortages on the day of Cruz’s death.