Regina Parents Demand Answers After Son's Carbon Monoxide Death
Marina Hills and Sergio Losco are determined to pursue justice for their 11-year-old son, Henry, who tragically died from a carbon monoxide leak in their fourth-floor downtown Regina apartment. The couple, who recently moved from Newfoundland and Labrador, believes this devastating incident was entirely preventable and are now speaking out publicly to demand accountability.
A Preventable Tragedy
On the evening of December 19, Hills returned from work to find her partner Sergio face-up, barely breathing and covered in vomit. She soon discovered their son Henry unresponsive in his bed. Sergio, who narrowly survived the leak, described Henry as "brilliant" and "creative," a young boy who had been feeling light-headed before lying down for a nap prior to soccer practice.
The family had only been living in Regina since December 2, having relocated for Hills' position at REAL District. In the days leading up to the tragedy, they experienced symptoms like tiredness, runny noses, and headaches—symptoms they initially attributed to adjusting to the dry prairie winter.
Seeking Accountability Through Social Media
Following Henry's funeral, which saw an outpouring of community support, the grieving parents have taken to Facebook to share their story. They maintain that this was not a tragic accident but rather criminal negligence. Hills stated emphatically, "I just want to be very clear that this was not a tragic accident. We feel this was criminal negligence."
The couple reports that several days after Henry's death, someone from their apartment building contacted them about reports of carbon monoxide alarms going off on the second floor during the afternoon of December 19. According to Hills, they were told that maintenance did not act on these concerns.
Official Investigations Underway
Regina Fire and Protection Services Chief Layne Jackson confirmed on December 22 that mechanical work being done on service equipment in the building was identified as the source of the carbon monoxide release. The Regina Police Service is currently leading an investigation into the matter, with participation from the Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan.
Heavy with grief, Hills and Losco are now working with a lawyer to determine the appropriate steps toward achieving justice. Their primary goals are obtaining answers and raising awareness about carbon monoxide safety to prevent other families from experiencing similar tragedies.
"The pain that comes with losing your child is unimaginable, unspeakable," said Hills. "There aren't words for it, and if I could save a family from this, I'm going to, and I'm going to follow this through for as long as it takes."
The family remains surrounded by Henry's belongings in their new apartment, a constant reminder of their loss and motivation for their pursuit of accountability in what they believe was a preventable death.
