Joyce Echaquan 'had bruises everywhere,' family tells coroner as inquest continues

WhenStphane Echaquansaw his sister cry out for help in a Facebook video, he rushed to the Joliette, Que., hospital as quickly as he could. But when he got there, it was already too late.

"I never thought I'd see her like that restrained like an animal,"Echaquansaid Friday.

Joyce Echaquanwas 37 when she died at theCentre hospitalier rgional de Lanaudire in Joliette, just days after being admitted there for stomach pains. Shefilmed her final moments in a Facebook video, as hospital staff hurled racist insults at her.

Her brother was the first to testify Friday, as the coroner's inquest into her death continued.

Quebec CoronerGhane Kamelalso heard testimony from Echaquan'sdaughter, sister-in-law, her cousin and a close friend.

Echaquan's daughter, Wasianna Echaquan Dub, who testified Thursday, was asked to do so again Friday, following a special request by the family's lawyer, Patrick Martin-Mnard.

A video shot by the daughter was shown to the courtroom, the contents of which is under a publication ban.

Relatives describe bruising, restraints

When Stphane Echaquanarrived at the hospital on Sept. 28, he was told his sister Joyce was already dead.

"They told me to leave immediately," he said. "When I entered the room she was in, I saw her lying down restrained. She had bruises."

Echaquansaid he took photos of the bruises which willbe shown to the coroner later on in the inquest.

Joyce Echaquan's sister-in-law,Jemima Dub, also testified to seeing the bruises.

Dubsaid Echaquan called her in the early hours of Sept. 28 and begged her to come and get herbecause she was scared.

Eventually, Dubfound a lift and rushedthere.

"I entered the hospital and I looked for Joyce," she said. "No one would help me. It was like I was invisible."

Finally, she was told to wait in a room reserved for families, where she was met by a translator.

She said a doctor told her that,although they had triedfor 45 minutes to resuscitate her, Joyce Echaquanwas dead.

In shock, Dubstumbled her way out.

"It was like I was blinded. My breathing was weak. When I got outside, I cried, without knowing I was crying."

Dub then re-entered the hospital and saw Echaquan's body,"still restrained by her wrists, her feet, and her waist," saidDub.

"She had bruises everywhere. When I tried holding her hand, it was still warm. But it became cold later."

At several points throughout the testimonyThursday, the coronercalled on those listening to have compassion.

WhenDubshared her testimony, Kamelexpressed emotion.

"I need to catch my breath because what you just shared was really touching," she toldDub.

Brother describes issues of racism in health-care system

Stphane Echaquansaid that in the years leading up to his sister's death, sheoften spokeof issues shehad at the hospital in Joliette.

"She would say she wouldn't get treated the same," said Echaquan. "That every time she would go there, they would give her sedatives."

Echaquanhad his own distrust of the medical establishment, to the point where heput off seekingtreatmentfor his kidney issues.

He said his father, and other Manawan community members, prefer the hospital inTrois-Rivires. He said their distrust in the medical system only grew after his sister's death.

Echaquan called the situation unacceptable and says no one should betreated differently because of their nationality of their cultural background.

"We are all of the same flesh and bone," he said. "There is no reason why we should die in circumstances like that of Joyce." And the issues of racism go far beyond the walls of the Joliette hospital, he said.

He said his children have suffered from bullying at theirTrois-Riviresschool in the aftermath of his sister's death.

"They will kill you like they did your aunt," Echaquan said one of his children was told.