Jury at coroner's inquest into death of First Nations woman begin deliberations

Ruthann Quequish, 31, died from ketoacidosis, a complication associated with diabetes, at her home in Kingfisher Lake First Nation after going to the community nursing station several times in the days and hours before her death. An undated photo of Ruthann prior to her death that family posted to social media. (Jordan Quequish/Facebook)

A coroner's inquest jury looking into the death of an Ontario First Nations woman has begun deliberating its findings and recommendations after hearing closing arguments in the case Thursday.

Ruthann Quequish died on April 1, 2017 from ketoacidosis, a complication associated with diabetes, at her home in Kingfisher Lake First Nation after going to the community nursing station several times in the days and hours before her death.

The inquest explored the challenges that remote communities in Ontario face in delivering health care.

In examining the circumstances of the case, a five-person jury is expected to determine the manner of the 31-year-old's death and any appropriate recommendations.

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The inquest explored the challenges that remote communities in Ontario face in delivering health care.

Lawyers for Quequish's family, the Shibogama First Nations Council and Kingfisher Lake First Nation argued the woman's death should be ruled a homicide because she died as a result of untreated diabetes in an under-serviced community.

The various lawyers representing health-care workers, including community doctors and nurses who treated Quequish, on the other hand, argued that it was a natural death because ketoacidosis is a known complication of diabetes.

The jury heard closing arguments Thursday after 12 days of witness testimonies that chronicled a "second-tier" health-care system in the remote northwestern Ontario community.