‘Jaiden’s Law’ sought
REGINA — Wearing T-shirts that read “Jaiden Lynn Elizabeth Slaferek/2012/Hugs Always,” the family of the 17-year-old who fell to her death at the Conexus Arts Centre gathered Friday to hear a coroner’s jury’s suggestions to hopefully prevent another tragedy.
The Grade 12 high school student from Qu’Appelle had once done a work-study program at the centre — preparing for a future after a graduation that would never be. She died Jan. 15, 2012, in an alcoholtainted misadventure that resulted in a 12-metre fall from a catwalk over the main stage.
The centre was reviewing safety procedures even before Jaiden’s death — and ramped up changes in the wake of it.
“I think they’ve tried really, really hard to tighten up things there,” Jaiden’s father Rick Slaferek told reporters at the inquest’s closing. “They got to know her really well, so they lost a friend in this also.”
The jury probing her death emerged after about four hours of deliberations with recommendations about security and safeguards. Conexus lawyer Mike Megaw said the centre will see what more it can do on top of changes already made.
“It was a most unfortunate event, and the centre took it seriously to try and make sure this never happens again,” he said.
Rick hopes some day there might also be a lasting legal legacy from his daughter’s death.
“I’d sure love to push it as far as we can and maybe make it Jaiden’s Law that pertains to providing alcohol to underage kids ... To us, it would make all our time worthwhile after the fact,” he said. “Now we live with one less daughter.”
Jaiden died shortly after midnight after leaving with two acquaintances from a dance at the centre.
The trio used a freight elevator, series of stairs and unlocked doors — including one marked Danger Do Not Enter — to gain entry to the dark catwalk from which she fell. She died instantly from severe head trauma. Toxicology tests revealed her bloodalcohol level was between .30 and .37 — four times the legal driving limit — and she likely would have been unsteady and lethargic as she and her companions navigated up stairs, over a chair and piece of plywood, and under a girder to get onto the catwalk, which hadn’t been in use for several years because of safety concerns.
The five-person jury ruled the death accidental. Among its recommendations, the jury suggested duties for hired security be clearly written and better communicated; security approach those drinking who appear to be underage to check identification; hired and staff security have radios; and that the Conexus lock and mark doors leading to fall hazards, provide emergency lighting in darkened areas, install a phone by the stage, and lock all outside doors not in use. In addition, it suggested the Luther University Student Association, which hosted the dance that evening, clarify who checks hand stamps, have sign-in sheets, and ensure coats and backpacks are checked.
“They are things that could be easily implemented both by Luther College and Conexus Arts Centre,” coroner’s counsel Codi Chudyk said.
The inquest heard how Jaiden and some friends left a house party where there was drinking and snuck into the dance at the invitation of one of their buddies DJing the event. Someone brought a 26-ounce of Jack Daniels, and drinks were also purchased. Jaiden’s father is unequivocal in saying the centre didn’t give his underage daughter alcohol — but those she was with that evening did.
“That whole issue seems to be acceptable in our society today,” he said. “I would really like to see it start at home that we clamp down on that. You get close to grad, and multitudes of parents buy their kids liquor; they’re not 19 ... We need them to feel that there are consequences — other than losing a child.”
The inquest heard how Jaiden, Mason Smyth, then 19, and Todd Horrocks, then 21, initially went outside to smoke, but ended up “exploring.” The young men, whose memories and judgment were clouded by alcohol, testified they were unaware it was a catwalk in the dark. Smyth recalled letting go of Jaiden’s hand to walk out further — then heard a bang and a panicked Horrocks say, “Jade isn’t with us.”
Since the teen’s death, backstage doors now have special locks that can only be opened by keys assigned to a limited number of people; the elevator system can be locked off on certain floors; and portal doors to the theatre are secured when not in use.
The stairs can’t be completely shut off because they are used as fire exits. Centre staff considered welding shut the catwalk door after the accident, but repairs to the fire sprinkler system require access to the area.
But the door is now locked.