News Release
Woman in Kapuskasing Died as a Result of Overdose; SIU Terminates Investigation
Case Number: 18-PCD-077
Other News Releases Related to Case 18-PCD-077
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Tony Loparco, has terminated the investigation into the death of a 65-year-old woman last month in Kapuskasing.
At approximately 5:30 p.m. on March 12, 2018, paramedics attended the woman’s residence in the area of Riverside Drive and Kolb Avenue after being notified of a possible overdose. From outside the woman’s residence, they witnessed her consuming what appeared to be pills. The woman eventually opened the door and allowed the paramedics to enter. Police – who were requested to assist – arrived soon after. The woman would not divulge what she had consumed, and as a result, she was persuaded to attend hospital for treatment. At 2 a.m. the following day, the woman was pronounced dead in hospital as a result of an overdose.
Director Loparco said, “There is nothing that the police officers did that contributed to the woman’s death. Accordingly, I have terminated this investigation.”
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (police officers as well as 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