In the year 2026, five doctors in Quebec died by suicide, prompting a single coroner to investigate the incidents. Chief coroner Reno Bernier announced that Coroner Géhane Kamel will lead the investigation into each case, analyzing the specific circumstances and providing recommendations. The Quebec coroner’s office stated that by examining the cases together, Kamel can uncover common contributing factors and shed light on the causes and circumstances of the deaths more efficiently.
These tragic events occurred in various locations including Val-d’Or, Trois-Rivières, Contrecoeur, Rimouski, and Lévis between March and August of the same year. Kamel, known for overseeing significant public inquiries in the province, previously managed the investigation into the hospital death of Joyce Echaquan in 2020, an Atikamekw mother of seven. Additionally, she conducted an extensive inquiry into deaths in long-term care facilities during the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision to launch this investigation came after a group of doctors requested it in September.
