News Release

Man Identified in London Custody Death

Case Number: 10-OCD-254   

Mississauga (29 November, 2010) --- Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is continuing its investigation into the death of 55-year-old Mario Hamel of London on November 25, 2010, while he was in police custody.

  • A post-mortem examination was completed on November 26, 2010.  The results will be forthcoming.
  • To date SIU investigators have interviewed four witness officers.
Anyone who may have information regarding this case is asked to contact the Unit at 416-622-0748 or 1-800-787-8529.

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