News Release

News Release

Update Regarding SIU Investigation into Death of Individual in Toronto

Case Number: 20-TCD-284   

Other News Releases Related to Case 20-TCD-284

SIU Investigating Death of Man in Toronto
November 19, 2020 Update: SIU Investigation into Death of Woman in Toronto
No Charges Against Toronto Police Officers in Death of Toronto Woman

Mississauga, ON (4 November, 2020) ---
Investigators with the Special Investigations Unit are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a 30-year-old individual in Toronto on October 26, 2020.

Based on the information the SIU had at the time, the person was identified as a man in our news release. Last week, an organization that services LGBTQ2S communities contacted the SIU and informed that the individual identified as a woman. In an abundance of caution, the SIU made attempts to confirm this information with the deceased’s next-of-kin. Investigators were finally able to connect with the family this afternoon and the Unit can now confirm that the deceased in this case is a trans woman. At the request of family, the woman’s name is not being released at this time.

As of today:
  • Two officers have been designated as subject officers, and invitations have been extended to have the officers interviewed by the SIU. Pursuant to Ontario Regulation 267/10 of the Police Services Act, subject officers cannot be legally compelled to present themselves for an interview with the SIU and they do not have to submit their notes to the SIU. The SIU has not yet heard back whether the officers will agree to interviews.
  • The officer who was designated as a witness officer has been interviewed. 
  • The post-mortem took place on October 28, 2020, in Toronto. 

The SIU appreciates the public interest in this case and is doing what it can to get answers to the public as quickly as possible while ensuring that the integrity of the investigation is not compromised. We ask for the public’s continued patience.  

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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