The family of Abisay Cruz is questioning the use of a controversial restraint method by Montreal police that contributed to his death. They are seeking answers as to why officers employed a technique not endorsed by the police service during the intervention. Josué Cruz, Abisay’s brother, expressed the family’s desire to comprehend the necessity of such force and why a different approach was not taken given Abisay’s condition.
Abisay, a father and the second youngest among five siblings, passed away on March 30, 2025, following a police intervention in Montreal’s Saint-Michel neighborhood. The incident, captured on video, led to public outcry and heightened mistrust towards law enforcement.
The coroner’s report, released recently, deemed Abisay’s death accidental but highlighted the hogtie technique used as a likely contributing factor. This method involves binding a person’s limbs behind their back while they are face-down. Coroners raised concerns over its safety and respect for human rights.
The events unfolded when police responded to reports of a distressed man on a balcony throwing objects. Abisay, facing deportation to Honduras and experiencing sleep deprivation, was found with a high level of cocaine in his system, noted by toxicology results. Authorities attempted to calm him down, but he resisted arrest, leading to his restraint in a hogtie position for over two minutes.
Despite the paramedic’s observation that Abisay showed no signs of movement or distress during the transport, the coroner criticized the lack of supervision as his condition deteriorated. Efforts to revive him with CPR en route to the hospital proved unsuccessful.
Montreal police clarified that neither their department nor the provincial police academy teaches the hogtie technique. They emphasized training officers to recognize medical distress and promptly provide medical assistance. The SPVM spokesperson mentioned ongoing actions against the involved officers but declined to disclose details citing privacy concerns.
The coroner recommended banning the hogtie technique, equipping officers with naloxone kits, and implementing body-worn cameras for crisis responses. While prosecutors opted not to press charges against the officers, community organizer Stephanie Germain called for a thorough investigation into police conduct to address lingering questions.
Josué Cruz demanded transparency regarding police training, the decision-making process behind using the hogtie method, and accountability for all involved. He linked Abisay’s tragic fate to past fatal police encounters in Montreal, underscoring the family’s call for justice and accountability in the face of such incidents.