Ontario's north regional supervising coroner has confirmed that preliminary investigation into the death of a woman from Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation has taken place.
Ashley (Anang Kwe - Star Woman) Mandamin is described in her obituary as the daughter of Dean Jacobs and Mary Lou Mandamin, the mother of a child named Connor, and a beloved sister to Tanya and Tiffany.
"Ashley will always be remembered for her caring nature and for the love she held for her son and family," her obituary noted. Mandamin died on Aug. 2 at just 20 years old.
Dr. David Cameron, the regional supervising coroner in Sudbury, has confirmed that a preliminary post-mortem examination was completed at the North East Regional Forensic Pathology Unit at Health Sciences North on Aug. 3.
According to the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, a coroner is called to investigate deaths that appear to be from unnatural causes or natural deaths that occur suddenly or unexpectedly.
As per the Coroner's Act, information about the results of the examination may only be released to family members.
Questions and concerns about Mandamin's death have been raised on social media, and another media source has reported that Ashley Mandamin's body was found in an abandoned car on Willow Street. In that story, an anonymous tipster said she had been found with bruising and a bump on her cheek.
In an interview with Sudbury.com, Dr. Cameron said that he has met with Indigenous families through services like those provided by Family Information Liason Units, that explain coroner's investigations.
In light of issues that have come to light through the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, Cameron expressed understanding in response to concerns that have been raised within the community.
"This is tragic and you know people have huge concerns regarding the death and the investigation, given that Ashley was an Indigenous woman," Dr. Cameron said. "We're very aware of historic investigations not being up-to-snuff and we're determined not the make those mistakes again.
"I think we have some trust to earn in these situations."
Both the coroner's office and Greater Sudbury Police Services have reported that there are no indications of criminality in relation to Mandamin's death at this time.
"You never really stop investigating when new information comes in, but we would expect to finalize our coroner's report in six months," Dr. Cameron said. "(But) we will have answers for the family well before that."
In an email, GSPS said that since the death has not been deemed suspicious, the investigation remains a coroner’s case at this time.
