News Release

SIU Investigating Death of Man in Ottawa

Case Number: 21-OCD-005   

Other News Releases Related to Case 21-OCD-005

No Criminal Charges Warranted in Relation to Death of Man in Ottawa

Mississauga, ON (2 January, 2021) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man today in Ottawa.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 12:15 p.m. on January 2, 2021, Ottawa Police Service officers were dispatched to the Lord Elgin Hotel in relation to a report of an intoxicated man in front of the hotel.  
  • Upon arrival, officers located the person of interest. Following a conversation with the man, it was agreed that the man would be transported by police to the Shepherds of Good Hope shelter.
  • When officers arrived at the shelter, they noticed that the man had become unresponsive. Emergency Medical Services arrived, took over care of the man and placed him in the ambulance where he subsequently went vital signs absent.
  • At 1:17 p.m., the man was pronounced deceased in the ambulance.

Three investigators and one forensic investigator have been assigned to the case. Investigators are currently making attempts to identify the man.

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