SIU Discontinues Thunder Bay Investigation into Man’s Death
Case Number:
25-OOD-476
Mississauga, ON (25 February, 2026) ---
The Deputy Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Stacey O’Brien, has terminated an investigation into the death of a 42-year-old man in November in Thunder Bay.
On the night of November 21, 2025, Thunder Bay Police Service officers were dispatched to a motel in the area of Cumberland Street North and Munro Street for a medical distress call. A man was reportedly exhibiting flailing movements inside of a room. Upon attending the unit, officers located a man lying on his back on the floor, unresponsive, with drug paraphernalia in the surrounding area. Officers attempted a sternum rub and administered Naloxone, but the man did not respond. Paramedics arrived, and shortly thereafter, the man appeared to be vital signs absent. Following CPR attempts which proved to be successful, the man was transported to hospital. Despite medical intervention, he was later pronounced deceased.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, including a review of video footage that captured the incident in part, Deputy Director O’Brien was satisfied the investigation should be discontinued. Officers provided emergency aid to the man, consistent with their duties and training. He was already in significant medical distress at the time of their arrival. Nothing in the video evidence or witness narrative established or suggested that the conduct of the police was negligent or in any way causally connected to the outcome. The available evidence indicated that the man’s medical crisis was most likely attributable to drug toxicity. It was evident that the police officers did nothing that could conceivably attract criminal liability in connection with the unfortunate death of the man. Accordingly, the file has been closed.
If you or someone you know has been negatively affected by an incident under SIU investigation and would like support, the Affected Persons Program is here to help. You can reach us at 1-877-641-1897. Support is free, confidential, and available 24/7, every day of the year.
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (municipal, regional and provincial police officers, police officers with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, special constables with the Niagara Parks Commission and peace officers with the Legislative Protective Service) that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person. All investigations are conducted by SIU investigators who are civilians. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, the Director of the SIU must
- consider whether the official has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation
- depending on the evidence, cause a criminal charge to be laid against the official where grounds exist for doing so, or close the file without any charges being laid
- publicly report the results of its investigations
Lisez ce communiqué en français.
Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES
