News Release

Man’s Death in Washagamis Bay Result of Pneumonia; SIU Terminates Investigation

Case Number: 18-POD-066   

Mississauga, ON (23 April, 2018) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Tony Loparco, has terminated an investigation into the death of a 29-year-old man last month in Washagamis Bay, southwest of Kenora.

On both February 27, 2018 and February 28, 2018, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers with the Kenora detachment arrested the man. He was arrested once at a home after receiving a complaint, and once outside the Kenora Fellowship Centre. Each time, the man was lodged in a cell and released a short time later. 

At approximately 7 a.m. on March 5, 2018, paramedics and police officers responded to the man’s residence in Washagamis Bay as a result of him being in medical distress. He was transported to hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. 

A post-mortem examination was conducted and revealed no serious injury, including no recent or visible fractures. The cause of death was determined to be acute pneumonia.

Director Loparco said, “The man’s death was the result of acute pneumonia and had nothing to do with his interactions or contacts with the police. As such, I am terminating this investigation.” 

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

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