An investigation has been launched into the death of Marcel Roy, an 82-year-old who died in August after he was placed in a supply room inside Ste-Croix de Drummondville Hospital because of a shortage of palliative care beds.

Roy spent the last 24 hours of his life confined to a highly trafficked room filled with hospital supplies and equipment.

The hospital is conducting an internal investigation, but a seniors’ rights group is demanding a public coroner’s inquiry.

"This is a situation that should not exist," said Louise Rajotte of the AQDR, a Quebec association for the rights of seniors and retired people.

Roy’s daughter, Marcelle, is happy to learn the Quebec ombudsman is also following the case closely.

"To end your life in a place like that, it’s inhuman," she said.