News Release
SIU Investigating Death of Woman in Kitchener
Case Number: 20-OOD-318
Other News Releases Related to Case 20-OOD-318
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 43-year-old woman overnight in Kitchener.
Preliminary information suggests the following:
- At approximately 11:30 p.m. on November 21, 2020, two Waterloo Regional Police Service officers attended an apartment building in the area of Joseph Street and Queen Street South to check on the well-being of a woman. Their dispatch was prompted by a call the woman had made to 911.
- Based on their observations and conversation with the woman, the officers left.
- Beginning shortly after midnight, the woman contacted 911 several times, and as a result, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) attended the woman’s residence.
- When EMS personnel couldn’t gain access to the apartment unit, the police service and fire department were sent to assist.
- The door was breached, and first aid was provided to the woman. However, the woman was pronounced deceased.
Three investigators and one forensic investigator have been assigned to the case.
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