News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Death of Man Taken into Custody in Pickle Lake

Case Number: 24-PCD-379   

Other News Releases Related to Case 24-PCD-379

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

Mississauga, ON (9 December, 2025) ---
A 59-year-old man lapsed into medical crisis on September 12, 2024, while lodged in a cell at the OPP Pickle Lake Detachment. He subsequently passed away on September 14, 2024, in hospital. The SIU was notified of the incident and initiated an investigation. Two OPP officers – the officer with the most direct and consequential dealings with the man while he was in police cells and the senior supervisory officer ultimately responsible for prisoner care and control – were identified as subject officials. On his assessment of the evidence, SIU Director Joseph Martino determined there were no reasonable grounds to believe that either officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the man’s death. 

Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision): 
https://siu.on.ca/en/directors_report_details.php?drid=4836

The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (municipal, regional and provincial police officers, police officers with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, 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