Tatiana Custer, who was born in La Ronge, passed away on Jan. 3, 2024. (Image Credit: Facebook)

By Nigel Maxwell

Searching for answers

Inquest dates confirmed for La Ronge woman who died while in custody

Nov 6, 2026 | 9:50 AM

The circumstances surrounding a young woman’s death will be examined in great detail during a coroner’s inquest next month in Prince Albert.

As per information provided by the Ministry of Justice, the inquest into the death of Tatiana Custer has been scheduled for the week of December 7 at the Coronet Hotel in Prince Albert.

Custer, 23, went into medical distress at the Pine Grove Provincial Correctional Centre on January 3, 2024. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was called and staff began life-saving efforts. EMS arrived, took over her care and transported her to the Victoria Hospital where she was later pronounced deceased.

Custer’s former partner, Drexlyr Whitehead, was murdered in 2021. They had one child together. (Image Credit: Facebook)

Following Custer’s death, Prince Albert Grand Council Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte issued a public statement and called for a full investigation.

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He cited the fact Custer was on remand, awaiting a bail hearing, and was initially found unresponsive in a common area of the facility. Hardlotte also said the family was feeling frustrated and wanted to know what happened at the institution.

“That’s supposed to be a safe place for them,” he said.

Hardlotte also expressed concern that neither the PAGC’s executive or justice department had been contacted by Prince Albert police, staff at Pine Grove, or the government.

Section 20 of The Coroners Act, 1999 states that the Chief Coroner shall hold an inquest into the death of a person who dies while an inmate at a jail or a correctional facility, unless the coroner is satisfied that the person’s death was due entirely to natural causes and was not preventable.

The Saskatchewan Coroners Service is responsible for the investigation of all sudden, unexpected deaths. The purpose of an inquest is to establish who died, when and where that person died and the medical cause and manner of death. The coroner’s jury may make recommendations to prevent similar deaths.

Coroner Aaron Fox, K.C. will preside at the inquest.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

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by Nigel Maxwell

Inquest dates confirmed for La Ronge woman who died while in custody

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