Inquest into Myles Sanderson’s death to begin Feb. 26 in Saskatoon

While one of the largest inquests in the province’s history is examining the deaths of Myles Sanderson’s victims, an inquiry into his death is set to begin next month.

Sanderson, 32, embarked on a spree of stabbing murders on Sept. 4, 2022, leaving 11 people from the James Smith Cree Nation and nearby village of Weldon dead and 17 others injured.

An inquiry in Melfort is currently examining the deaths of each of the victims, and is expected to continue next week.

After a massive manhunt, Sanderson was spotted driving a stolen truck on Highway 11 north of Saskatoon on Sept. 7, 2022.

RCMP officers forced the truck off the road and into a ditch.

Myles Sanderson. (submitted photo/RCMP)

“Sanderson exited the vehicle and while being arrested, suddenly collapsed,” the Ministry of Justice said in a statement.

“EMS responded, started performing lifesaving measures and transported him to the Royal University Hospital (RUH) in Saskatoon. Lifesaving efforts were continued in the RUH Emergency Department, but were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced deceased.”

Whenever a person dies in custody, a coroner’s inquest must be held unless the coroner is satisfied that their death was natural and not preventable.

At the inquest, a jury will hear evidence and make recommendations to prevent similar deaths in the future.

The week-long inquest into Sanderson’s death is set to begin at 10 a.m. on Feb. 26 at the Saskatoon Inn and Conference Centre.

Coroner Robert Kennedy is set to preside.

Clive Weighill, Saskatchewan’s chief coroner, was previously hoping the inquests could be held in the spring or summer of 2023, but both inquests had to be delayed in order to allow more time for the RCMP to complete its investigation.

While Sanderson’s death is not being examined at the inquest in Melfort, details of his mindset, criminal history and parole have been prominent during the proceedings.