News Release

SIU Investigating Death of Man in Lakefield

Case Number: 23-OCD-532   

Other News Releases Related to Case 23-OCD-532

SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Death in Lakefield

Mississauga, ON (26 December, 2023) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 40-year-old man this morning in Lakefield.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 1:30 a.m. on December 26, 2023, a woman contacted Peterborough Police Service to report that her son was in distress and was at an apartment on Queen Street in Lakefield.
  • Upon arrival, an officer saw the man holding a baseball bat outside of the apartment. The man struck the officer with the bat and re-entered the apartment.
  • Additional officers arrived at the scene, and attempts were made to communicate with the man. This was to no avail.
  • When officers made the decision to breach the apartment door, they located the man in the kitchen in medical distress.
  • Although first aid was provided to the man by officers and emergency medical service personnel, the man was pronounced deceased at the scene.
  
Three investigators and one forensic investigator have been assigned to the case. 

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at: https://siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php

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

Lisez ce communiqué en français.

Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES