The family of Abisay Cruz is questioning the use of a controversial restraint technique by Montreal police that played a role in his death, as a coroner’s report failed to clarify why officers employed a method not endorsed by the police service. Josué Cruz, Abisay’s brother, emphasized the need to understand the use of such force and why a different approach was not taken given Abisay’s crisis situation.
Abisay, a father and the second youngest of five siblings, passed away on March 30, 2025, following a police intervention in Montreal’s Saint-Michel neighborhood. The family expressed devastation over the loss, describing Abisay as a beloved son, father, and sibling. Witnessing the events leading to his death has left lasting emotional scars on the family members.
According to the recent report by coroner Géhane Kamel, Abisay’s demise was deemed accidental, with the hogtie technique utilized during the police intervention identified as a potential contributing factor. The hogtie method involves binding an individual’s limbs behind their back while they are lying face down, a practice that has raised safety and rights concerns leading to restrictions in various police departments.
The incident transpired after police were called regarding a distressed man on a balcony throwing objects into an alley. Abisay, facing deportation to Honduras and sleep-deprived for three days, exhibited a high level of cocaine in his system, as revealed by toxicology results. During the encounter, officers attempted to subdue Abisay, who was eventually restrained in a hogtie position before being transported down the stairs.
The report highlighted the absence of effective leadership from a supervising officer as Abisay’s health deteriorated. Despite paramedics performing CPR, Abisay was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. The coroner recommended a ban on the hogtie technique within the Montreal police force and suggested equipping officers with naloxone kits and body-worn cameras for crisis situations.
The Montreal police and the provincial police academy confirmed that they do not endorse or teach the hogtie method. While the SPVM emphasized training officers to identify medical distress signs and provide prompt medical assistance, questions remain regarding the unauthorized technique’s application and potential repercussions faced by the involved officers.
Stephanie Germain, a community organizer, demanded a thorough investigation into police conduct following the coroner’s report. Josué Cruz sought transparency regarding police training, techniques employed, and accountability in his brother’s case, connecting Abisay’s tragedy to a series of fatal police interventions in the Montreal region.
The Quebec prosecutors’ office decided not to press charges against the officers involved, citing the use of minimal force against an uncooperative individual. The family, along with community advocates, continues to seek clarity and accountability in Abisay’s untimely death.