PRINCE ALBERT — A coroner's inquest determined Boden Umpherville's death was caused by a lack of oxygen to his brain but couldn’t say exactly how it happened.
The six-person jury concluded Friday that the 40-year-old’s medical cause of death was asphyxia and cocaine use causing cardiac arrest that led to significant hypoxia of the brain. But the jury ruled the manner of death “undetermined", meaning the precise circumstances that led to the oxygen deprivation remain unclear.
The jury made four recommendations aimed at preventing future in-custody deaths.
The jury recommended that the Prince Albert Police Service mandate body-worn cameras for all officers. The jury also called for PAPS to make it mandatory during traffic stops for vehicles to be turned off and keys removed.
Additional recommendations include improved training for officers on different types of asphyxia, and how to avoid and prevent them.
The jury also recommended that Parkland Ambulance Care Ltd. have one EMT stay with the individual who is in need of medical care when the medical emergency team is on scene.
Umpherville, 40, was an occupant in a vehicle that PAPS members detained in a traffic stop on April 1, 2023, as the vehicle had been reported stolen earlier that day. According to police, an altercation broke out as PAPS members attempted to restrain and arrest him. Once arrested, Umpherville was observed to be in medical distress and was taken to Prince Albert Victoria Hospital. He was pronounced dead on April 26, 2023.
The PAPS issued a statement late Friday saying they will review the recommendations and consider any appropriate next steps.
Umpherville was from Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation. A Serious Incident Response Team report in 2025 cleared officers of any wrongdoing.
Boden Umpherville's family previously described how police officers handled the traffic stop involving Boden Umpherville as "utterly disgusting."
-With files from Jon Perez
