News Release

SIU Investigating Death of Man in Thunder Bay

Case Number: 20-OCD-047   

Mississauga, ON (13 March, 2020) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 29-year-old man on the weekend in Thunder Bay.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 11 a.m. on February 28, 2020, Thunder Bay Police Service officers attended a residence after receiving a call regarding concern for an individual’s well-being. Emergency Medical Services and the Fire Department also attended.
  • A man was taken into police custody and transported to hospital for treatment.
  • The following day – while he was still in hospital – the man became critically ill.
  • On March 8, 2020, he was pronounced dead in hospital.

At this time, three investigators and one forensic investigator have been assigned to the case. A post-mortem took place yesterday in Toronto.

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. The Unit is also urging anyone who may have any video evidence related to this incident to upload that video through the SIU website.

If you or someone you know is an affected person in need of support, please call the Affected Persons Program General Referral Line at 1-877-641-1897 or click here for more information: siu.on.ca/en/apc.php

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

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