MAPLE CREEK – The Saskatchewan Coroners Service has ruled that Cassandra Fox, a Sweetgrass First Nation woman, died by suicide while in federal custody on Jan. 18, 2023.
Fox was serving her sentence at the Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge when she died. A public inquest was held June 15–16 in Maple Creek.
The jury made recommendations to the Correctional Service of Canada, including that all workers carry the 911 tool.
“In a situation where time is very important, running 30 seconds to one minute to get this tool could be life and death," found the jury.
Other recommendations include conducting an audit of all inside facilities for hanging and ligature points, and conducting informal checks in a more random fashion.
On Nov. 21, 2022, Fox was sentenced in North Battleford Provincial Court to two years, six months and 29 days after pleading guilty to accessory after the fact to murder in Bradley Ham’s death. She was also convicted on firearms charges.
Fox had initially faced first-degree murder charges.
Defence lawyer Brian Pfefferle told the court Fox endured a “very troubled upbringing," and significant Gladue factors. Her mother attended Lebret Residential School and struggled with addiction.
Court heard that Ham was killed in November 2020 while travelling in a blue Honda Civic with Fox and co-accused Jonathan Swiftwolfe as they sold drugs. He died from gunshot wounds to his legs, hypothermia, and shock. Ham’s body was found near a grid road about 30 kilometres southeast of Glaslyn.
Jonathan Swiftwolfe is escorted into Battleford Court of King's Bench on Feb. 26, 2024. Lisa Joy/SaskToday
Swiftwolfe sentenced to nine years
Swiftwolfe, of Moosomin First Nation, was sentenced to nine years in prison in February 2024 after pleading guilty to manslaughter. He had originally faced a first-degree murder charge. His lawyer told the court Swiftwolfe, a Westside Outlawz gang member, feared for his life if kept in prairie prisons due to gang activity and requested a transfer to British Columbia.
