News Release
SIU Discontinues Investigation into Ottawa Man’s Death; Man Died of Heart Condition
Case Number: 21-OCD-283
Other News Releases Related to Case 21-OCD-283
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the death of a 64-year-old man who was reportedly beaten by police officers before his death.
On August 31, 2021, the coroner contacted the SIU to report that they received information that the deceased man had been beaten by officers three days before his death.
The man was found to have been in failing health in the weeks prior to his death and had been admitted to hospital twice. The first time the man was hospitalized, he left the hospital against medical advice and confusedly made his way to a residence that was not his, prompting a call from the homeowner to police. Two Ottawa Police Service officers escorted him home, leaving him in the custody of his son. Three days later, the man suffered a heart attack at home. He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead. The preliminary autopsy found the man’s death was due to cardiomyopathy.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, Director Martino discontinued the investigation at this time. The file has been closed.
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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SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES