The family of a 29-year-old Regina woman found dead at the bottom of a laundry chute is asking more questions about the final coroner’s report into her death.
Nadine Machiskinic died in January 2015 at Regina’s Delta Hotel.
The final coroner’s report released earlier this month concluded that Machiskinic’s death was accidental.
Delores Stevenson, Machiskinic’s aunt, said the family received an alternate autopsy report early in the death investigation.
It concluded Machiskinic’s death should be listed as undetermined.
The coroner’s office said in a statement that a toxicologist in Alberta provided additional information and the pathologist revised the autopsy report based on that.
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Delores Stevenson, Machiskinic’s aunt, said the family received an alternate autopsy report early in the death investigation.
“I’m not really sure how to make sense of it but it really contradicted the original opinion,” Stevenson said.
“The official report had a very different opinion.”
That report from the pathologist concluded Machiskinic’s death should be listed as undetermined.
The Office of the Coroner declined an interview request but in a statement to Global News, said “determining the manner of death is the responsibility of the coroner, not the pathologist.”
“Although important, an autopsy is but one part of the investigation that informs the coroner’s findings, which includes the cause of death and manner of death.”
The coroner’s office also stated that a toxicologist in Alberta provided additional information and the pathologist revised the autopsy report based on that.
The family’s lawyer called the changes unusual.
“I’ve not seen them go out and ask for a second opinion, really trying to find an opinion that disagrees with the first experts opinion,” Tony Merchant said.
“[It was] almost like the expert was asked, give us a report that’s different from the first report.”
The coroner’s office, however, said it is common practice.
“It is common for a coroner’s service to seek a second opinion or additional expertise to inform the findings of a complex investigation,” the statement read.
However, Stevenson said she isn’t convinced.
“My question to the coroner is why he never put anything about the first opinion in the final autopsy report,” she said.
The family is maintaining they’ll continue fighting for the truth.
“I don’t think she got the justice,” Stevenson said.
“I don’t feel she even got the proper investigation.”
With files from The Canadian Press.