SIU Discontinues Investigation into Man’s Fatal Fall from North York Apartment Balcony
Case Number:
26-TCD-240
Mississauga, ON (27 August, 2026) ---
The Deputy Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Stacey O’Brien, has terminated an investigation into the death of a 34-year-old man in May in North York.
In the evening of May 25, 2026, Toronto Police Service officers were dispatched to an apartment building in the area of York Gate Boulevard and Jane Street in relation to an intimate partner violence investigation. Upon arriving at an apartment suite, officers knocked on the door. A man answered and opened the door slightly, with the security chain attached. An officer advised him that he was arrestable for fail to comply and that he was not permitted to be at the residence. The man indicated that he wished to speak with his lawyer and subsequently closed the door. While waiting, the officers heard a radio transmission reporting that a person had fallen from a balcony at their location. The officers proceeded to the area to investigate. The individual was subsequently identified as the man from the apartment unit.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, which included the review of video footage that captured the incident in part, Deputy Director O’Brien was satisfied the investigation should be discontinued. Throughout their attendance, the officers remained outside the apartment suite door. At no time did they receive information indicating exigent circumstances or an immediate risk to the man’s safety, sufficient to justify entry into the suite without lawful authority. Given the rapid progression of events, there was no reasonable opportunity for the officers to intervene or prevent the outcome. The officers did not use physical force, and their involvement was limited to their attendance at the residence. As it was evident that the police officers did nothing that could conceivably attract criminal liability in connection with the man’s unfortunate death, the file has been closed.
If you or someone you know has been negatively affected by an incident under SIU investigation and would like support, the Affected Persons Program is here to help. You can reach us at 1-877-641-1897. Support is free, confidential, and available 24/7, every day of the year.
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
