News Release

SIU Investigating Fatal Balcony Fall in Oshawa

Case Number: 20-OCD-320   

Other News Releases Related to Case 20-OCD-320

No Basis to Charge Officer in Relation to Man’s Death in Oshawa

Mississauga, ON (23 November, 2020) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 34-year-old man last night in Oshawa.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 9 p.m. on November 22, 2020, an individual contacted 911 to report that a man was hanging from the 7th floor balcony of an apartment building located at 275 Wentworth Street West.
  • From the parking lot, a Durham Regional Police Service officer saw the man and the officer directed him to get back over the balcony. However, the man did not do so.
  • Soon after, the man fell to the ground below. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Two investigators and one forensic investigator have been assigned to the case. At this time, one subject officer and two witness officers have been designated.

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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