Arabnews24.ca:Thursday 9 February 2023 03:04 PM: Ontario will hold an inquest into death of Keira Kagan, a four-year-old girl found dead with her father at the bottom of a cliff west of Toronto in 2020, the province's chief coroner says.
The date and location of the inquest has not yet been announced, however the focus will be on examining the circumstances of the little girl's death. The inquest's jury may also make recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths.
Kagan's body was found exactly three years ago on Feb. 9, 2020 at Rattlesnake Point conservation area in Milton, Ont.
At the time, police said both Kagan and her father, Robin Brown, appeared to have suffered significant trauma consistent with a fall.
Hikers have died in the area before, but Kagan's mother and stepfather have said they believe the deaths were a murder-suicide. That assertion has not been tested in court.
Kagan's mother, Jennifer Kagan, and Brown had been embroiled in a bitter custody dispute before Kagan was found dead.
Jennifer previously told CBC News that a case worker with Jewish Family and Child Services promised to launch an application in court showing Kagan needed protection from her father and that his visitation rights should be rescinded.
Two days later, he and his daughter were dead.
The coroner's report determined Keira died of blunt force trauma to the head and notes while the police investigation did not determine exactly what led up to Keira's death, police "identified multiple risk factors for domestic violence in Keira's father."
Upon completion the coroner's investigative report, the case was referred to its Domestic Violence Death Review Committee for further analysis and potential recommendations to prevent similar deaths in the future.
WATCH | Ontario mother says courts could have prevented her daughter's death:
Ontario mother says courts could have prevented her daughter’s death
Kagan's family later filed a lawsuit against Jewish Family and Child Services, which has previously declined to comment to CBC News.
Her mother also told CBC News Kagan's death could have been prevented if the court system had considered accusations of spousal abuse during their custody court case.
Last year, a private members bill in Kagan's name was tabled in the House of Commons.
Bill C-233, dubbed "Keira's Law," aims to expand training for judges to include domestic violence and coercive control.
