Multiple police sources told Global News Miles Sanderson fatally overdosed shortly after his arrest by RCMP on Sept. 7, which came after a manhunt that spanned the entire province. RCMP said only that Sanderson suffered “medical distress” after police seized his vehicle and was later pronounced dead at hospital despite life-saving measures by police and paramedics. The cause of death has not been officially disclosed. Sanderson was accused along with his brother Damien Sanderson of killing 10 people and injuring 18 others in a series of stabbings on the James Smith Cree Nation and the nearby village of Weldon, Sask., on Sept. 4. Damien was found dead the next day at the Aboriginal reserve. Story continues below ad

		Read more: Saskatchewan Coroner’s Office announces investigation into Saskatchewan stabbing deaths 		
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			Saskatchewan Coroner’s Office Announces Investigation into Saskatchewan Stabbing Deaths

On Wednesday, the Saskatchewan coroner’s office announced two public inquests will be held next year — one into the deaths that occurred on Sept. 4, including Damien’s, and the other into the death of Myles Sanderson. In Saskatchewan, public inquests are mandatory when a person dies in police custody. The coroner’s office may also hold inquests as a way of informing the public about sudden unnatural deaths. Chief Coroner Clive Weighill told reporters only that preliminary autopsy results show Myles Sanderson did not suffer from blunt force trauma. He said the coroner’s office is still awaiting final results from his autopsy and a toxicology report that could take up to four months to complete. The reports will not be released until the investigation begins because investigators do not want to spoil the process, Weighill said. 0:37 Saskatchewan stabbings: Coroner says no blunt force trauma in Sanderson’s death Saskatchewan stabbings: Coroner says no blunt force trauma in Sanderson’s death The preliminary results were released because of the intense public interest in the case, he added. Trending Stories

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Story continues below ad “We have the proper procedures in place in Canada to make sure the public is aware of what has happened. It takes a while to make a picture,” Weighill said Wednesday. “The last thing we want is to give some preliminary information, and then the witnesses at the inquest give different information and now we have a real quagmire of ‘What really happened?’ “It’s wise to make sure we have all the information, it’s all put together in the right format and then presented in an investigation.”

		Read more: Feds plan to table First Nations policing bill this fall after Saskatchewan stabbings

Saskatchewan RCMP have not yet completed their investigation into the killings. Independent investigations into Myles Sanderson’s death are also being conducted by the Saskatoon Police Service and the Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team to determine whether police actions played a role and whether his death could have been prevented. No timeline has been given for when the investigations will be completed, but Saskatoon police have promised that their report will be handed over to the provincial Department of Justice once it is complete. The ministry did not respond to questions from Global News on Tuesday about whether it will release that report once it is received. 2:21 Families, criminal files reveal new details on SK mass stabbing suspects Families, criminal files reveal new details on SK mass stabbing suspects – September 14, 2022 On Tuesday, federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino — who previously said the government has “questions” about the death of Myles Sanderson — told reporters in Ottawa that the integrity of the investigations must be respected, despite understanding the urgency public need to know the cause of death. Story continues below ad “The only way we’re going to be able to address (these concerns) is if we have an independent investigation carried out by the relevant authorities, which is exactly the process we’re following at the moment,” he said. “Only by following this process can we allow a measure of healing and justice for the community.” In her most recent statement, released last Thursday, Saskatchewan RCMP Assistant Comm. Rhonda Blackmore said police “still don’t know” how Sanderson died and asked for patience as the investigation continues. “I ask you all to remember that this is not a TV drama where we will have all the answers by the end of the episode,” he said. “Complex investigations of this nature take time and we look forward to providing more details once they are confirmed.” — with files from Global’s Mercedes Stephenson and Nancy Hixt and The Canadian Press © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.