Serena Perry coroner's inquest set for May

The province’s chief coroner has announced when the formal inquest into the death of a Saint John woman will take place in the new year.

Serena Perry was 22-years-old when she died while under the care of the psychiatric unit at the Saint John Regional Hospital.

Her body was discovered on Feb. 14, 2012 in the hospital's amphitheatre, which is located in another section of the facility.

Chief coroner Gregory Forestell announced Friday that presiding coroner John Evans and a jury have been scheduled to begin hearing evidence starting May 8. The public inquest will determine the facts surrounding her death by hearing evidence from witnesses.

Three weeks have been set aside for the inquest, after which the jury will come back with recommendations to prevent a similar incident.

Saint John Police Chief Bill Reid had requested the coroner's office hold a public inquest into Perry's death after he announced no charges would be laid in the case.

Although police had a suspect in the case, which was being treated as a homicide, a forensic examination could not determine the cause of her death, police said.

The chief had previously questioned why hospital staff did not call 911 until 12:20 a.m., up to an hour after Perry's body was found.

Hospital officials said at the time the delay was normal for a death in a hospital setting as medical professionals attempt to revive the person.

The initial coroner's report last year had listed the probable cause of death as "asphyxia due to strangulation," but two subsequent reports by different forensic pathologists could not be as conclusive, police said.

The suspect was a male patient also under the care of the psychiatric unit.

The New Brunswick Coroner Service is an independent fact-finding agency. It does not make any findings of legal responsibility.