A coroner’s inquest is underway into the death of a Fredericton teen nearly three years ago.
Lexi Daken died by suicide on Feb. 24, 2021, at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital.
Her death came days after her family says she spent hours at the hospital trying and failing to access mental health services.
The 16-year-old’s death prompted an independent review of youth suicide prevention and mental health services.
In 2021, New Brunswick’s child and youth advocate found Daken’s death could have been prevented.
The office also made nearly two dozen recommendations on how to improve the system going forward.
During this week’s inquest, the presiding coroner and a jury will publicly hear evidence from witnesses to determine the facts surrounding Daken’s death.
The jury will have an opportunity to make recommendations aimed at preventing deaths under similar circumstances.
An inquest is a formal court proceeding that allows for the public presentation of all evidence relating to a death.
The New Brunswick Coroner Service is an independent fact-finding agency that does not make any finding of legal responsibility.
Five days have been set aside for the inquest, which began on Monday.
