News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Woman’s Fatal Drug Overdose in London

Case Number: 26-OOD-106   

Other News Releases Related to Case 26-OOD-106

SIU Investigating Death of Woman in London

Mississauga, ON (3 July, 2026) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe two London Police Service officers committed a criminal offence in connection with the death of a 32-year-old woman. On March 5, 2026, police were dispatched to a McDonald’s on Fanshawe Park Road East, following a call about a woman in distress. The intoxicated woman refused medical attention, but accepted the officers’ offer to drive her home in the area of Fanshawe Park Road West and Wonderland Road North. In the morning, she was located deceased.

The pathologist attributed the woman’s death to multiple drug toxicity including fluorofentanyl, fentanyl, and ethanol.

Director Martino was unable to reasonably conclude that the officers’ decision to drive the woman home was reckless. Although the woman was scattered, emotionally distraught and seemingly intoxicated, she was able to communicate her plans for the following day as far as her eviction was concerned, had accepted and consumed food and, though unsteady on her feet, had managed to get by on her own power. At no time did she express any thoughts of self-harm. 

Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision): 

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