Public memorial planned for Regis Korchinski-Paquet with SIU probe in 'closing stages,' lawyer says

A lawyer for the family of a Toronto woman who died in a fall from a balcony in May says an investigation by Ontario's police watchdog into her death is nearing completion, and that a public memorial for her will be held later this month.

Knia Singh, principle lawyer atMa'at Legal Services, said in a statement released Wednesday that the Special Investigations Unit has completed its interviews with family members of Regis Korchinski-Paquet.

The 29-year-old womanfell from her family's 24th-floor apartment building in Toronto's High Park neighbourhood on May 27,after a family conflict that Singh has said left her distressed. The family called Toronto police and officers were in the apartment at the time Korchinski-Paquet fell, which led the SIU to probe the circumstances of her death.

Her family initially declined to be interviewed by SIU investigators, but reversed position last month.

"All interviews with the family have been conducted and the SIUhas stated they are in the closing stages of their investigation," Singh said.

Family still grieving but thankful for support

As the investigation moves toward itscompletion, family members saythey are still grieving the loss of Korchinski-Paquet.

"Words can't even describe how I'm feeling right now. She had a big spirit and she was the nucleus of our family" said Peter Korchinski, Regis' father.

Fighting back tears he said, "I just want to tell my daughter I love her very much and I'll never stop fighting for you til the day I die."

Family members saythe response theyhas seen from the community has been overwhelming, and say they support the calls for justice for Regis.

"I'm mourning, I'm grievingwith my family. I think Toronto's grieving. People come up to me in the street, they don't even know me but want to give me a hug. It means a lot," said Korchinski.

Claudette Beals, Regis' mother, also took the time topublicly thank Black Lives Matter Toronto as well as people across the world who have been fighting for justice.

Family conducting their own investigation

The news release also noted that MA'AT Legal Services has assembled a legal team, which includes Howard Morton, the former director of the SIU from 1992 to 1995.

Morton brings more than 20 years of experience in policing and is helping the family navigate their own investigation.

"Our investigation leads us to believe that there is a sound basis for criminal liability against the officers who burst into the apartment," said Morton at a press conferenceon Thursday.

He was also quick to point out that not all the information and evidence has been released.

A spokeswoman for the SIUtold CBC Toronto in an email that the oversight agency would provide an update on the status of the probe in the coming days.

Singh added that a second autopsy is being done in Newfoundlandand that results from the examination will be shared with the SIU when it finished.

He says they hope to get the results by next week.

Memorial service

A public memorial for Korchinski-Paquet is scheduled for 1 p.m. on July 25 in the High Park area.

"This will be a memorial celebrating the life of Regis, with speakers, community organizations and advocates calling for action for police accountability," Singh said.

It will be followed by a march, with the route to be announced in the coming days.

The event is being organized in conjunction with Black Lives Matter TO, he added, and the family asks anyone planning to attendto practice social distancing measures during the event and march.

Korchinski-Paquet's death reignited a public conversation about police participation in mental health calls andsparked protests in the city, with some advocates and local residents calling for city council to defund the Toronto Police Service and allocate that money to community programs.

Singh says the family is looking for accountability from all levels of government when it comes to policing and mental health.

The lawyercited several high profile cases recently and in years past that involved police and mental healthcalls where Black, Brown and Indigenous people have died.

"If the provincial government cannot put proper constraints on policing, use of forceand ensure training is done, they're missing out on their role," said Singh.

"The solicitor general and premierhave the responsibility to ensure people do not end up dead when they call for help," he added.