News Release

SIU Investigating Death of Man Taken into Custody by Police in Pickle Lake

Case Number: 24-PCD-379   

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Mississauga, ON (16 September, 2024) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 59-year-old man this weekend at hospital in Thunder Bay.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • On the afternoon of September 11, 2024, Ontario Provincial Police officers attended a business in the area of Koval Street and Patricia Avenue in Pickle Lake. 
  • While dealing with a group of individuals at the location, officers noticed that someone behind them required medical attention. Emergency Medical Services assessed this individual and medically cleared him.
  • The officers arrested the man and transported him to the detachment.
  • While at the detachment, the man went into medical distress.
  • He was transported to a local medical facility, and then airlifted to a hospital in Thunder Bay.
  • On September 14, 2024, the man was pronounced deceased in hospital.

Two 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