‘I miss my dad’: Family says goodbye to Abisay Cruz, died following Montreal police intervention

The family of Abisay Cruz, the 29-year-old Montrealer that died following an SPVM intervention on March 30 in Saint-Michel, renewed calls for there to be a public coroner’s inquiry into his death, on the day of his funeral Friday. The family says they still don’t know exactly what led to his death.

“The report, the autopsy — it’s been over 30 days, we have no answers,” said Josué Cruz, Abisay Cruz’s brother, at a press conference outside the funeral home.

Cruz’s nine-year-old son Enzo said Friday that he misses his dad. 

“Everyone in the neighbourhood liked him,” said Josué. “He was always very attentive and tried to make sure those around him were happy.”

He died in hospital just over a month ago, following an SPVM call for a person who was in crisis at a residence. According to police, following a physical altercation with Cruz, he was restrained and then became unwell before he died.

The family says he seemingly surrendered by putting his hands up at one point.

“I don’t understand,” said Josué. “Why do this to a man who is not armed and who doesn’t use force? It’s unfair, really.”

Québec solidaire MNA Andrés Fontecilla was on hand Friday, saying he was supporting the family.

“Yesterday, I asked the Minister of Public Safety, to trigger a public inquiry to know the truth,” he said at the press conference.

CityNews reached out to Quebec Public Security Minister François Bonnardel’s office but did not hear back in time for our deadline.

Meanwhile, Quebec’s coroner’s office told CityNews their investigation is ongoing and previously said they are closely monitoring the situation and will determine whether a public inquest should be ordered.

“Unfortunately we’re not going to be having the opportunity to have a second autopsy,” said Réne Saint-Léger, the lawyer for Cruz family. “But what we’re asking, because of this, at least there’s something that would prompt questions: what is the situation here? What are the facts? They have not been contacted by the independent office, the BEI.”

Quebec’s police watchdog, the BEI, is investigating the incident and says it is ongoing. 

“Beyond this specific circumstance of his death, there are so many systemic issues that have to be examined, particularly between the relations between police and youth of Latino-American background, Haitian background, Arab background in Saint-Michel,” said Fo Niemi, Executive Director of the Center for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR).

The family is still hoping for a bit more clarity, as they now have no choice but to bury Cruz – before that happens.

“We are here to ask for justice, for transparency,” said Josué. “And we wait for answers, but the answers, we don’t see them.”