Nearly four years after Tanya Hornjakov died after being transferred from a Penetanguishene jail to hospital, a coroner’s inquest will take a closer look at what happened in the hours leading up to her death. Hornjakov, 46, died on Sept. 19, 2022, after being transferred from Central North Correctional Centre, a maximum-security adult facility formerly known as the “Super Jail.” Dr. Joel Kirsh, Regional Supervising Coroner for the Central East Office, announced the inquest on Wednesday. According to the release, the inquest is mandatory under Ontario’s Coroners Act, which requires public hearings into certain deaths involving people in custody. The hearing is set to explore the circumstances leading up to Hornjakov’s death and consider whether changes could help prevent similar tragedies in the future. Five members of the community serving on the jury will hear evidence. The jury can also make recommendations to improve safety and reduce the risk of similar deaths happening again. Unlike a criminal trial, a coroner’s inquest does not assign blame or determine legal responsibility. Its purpose is to figure out what happened and find ways to prevent similar incidents. A date and location for the inquest have not yet been announced.
