Brennan Ahenakew-Johnstone was 20 when his remains were found on May 10, 2018. (Facebook)

By Nigel Maxwell

Unanswered questions

Public inquest to examine man’s death at Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation

Aug 6, 2021 | 12:00 PM

Over three years have passed since Lisa Johnstone’s son Brennan was found deceased in a burnt car on the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation.

The details of the young man’s death in May, 2018, will be discussed in greater detail later this month during a public inquest in Prince Albert. Section 19 of The Coroners Act, 1999 states that the Chief Coroner may direct that an inquest be held into the death of any person.

Both the Coroner and the RCMP have ruled the death accidental, reporting the 20-year-old died from smoke inhalation, and burns due to a single vehicle collision and fire. Johnstone however, who has reviewed countless pictures and read the witness statements, believes something else occurred.

“I do believe there was foul play and I will believe that until the day that I die,” she said.

Among the questions on Johnstone’s mind are how her son’s car, which was found in a farmer’s field, could have been in any sort of collision significant enough to incinerate. Describing a number of inconsistencies with witness statements, Johnstone also wonders why there appears to have been no follow up done by the RCMP.

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“I’m just flabbergasted at the less amount of work that was done,” she said.

The inquest has been scheduled to run the week of Aug. 23 at the Coronet Hotel.

The purpose of an inquest is not to lay blame, but rather establish who died, when and where that person died and the medical cause and manner of death. The coroner’s jury may make recommendations to prevent similar deaths. Johnstone said she does not want any other mother to go through what she has, searching for answers.

“It shouldn’t be me worrying about that, I should be grieving for my son but instead I’m stuck doing an investigation that should have been done by professionals,” she said.

The first day of the inquest is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Aug. 23. Subsequent start times will be determined by the presiding coroner. Coroner Blaine Beaven will preside at the inquest.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell