The coroner’s inquest into the death of Samwel Uko has been postponed due to the new COVID-19 protocols implemented in Saskatchewan on Thursday.
In a media release Friday, the Ministry of Justice announced the coroner’s office had postponed the inquest until further notice. It was slated to begin Monday in Regina.
“This decision was reached in consultation with the inquest coroner, inquest counsel, and the parties with standing,” the release said. “The family of Samwel Uko has been notified of this decision.
“The inquest will be rescheduled at a later date, dependent on the need to maintain the safety and health of everyone involved.”
Uko was 20 years old when he died by drowning in Wascana Lake on May 21, 2020.
According to his family, the former University of Saskatchewan Huskies football player had gone to a Regina hospital seeking help for mental health issues but was turned away without getting assistance.
The inquest into Uko’s suicide initially was called in June of 2020, and the dates were announced Sept. 3.