News Release

News Release

July 17, 2020 Update on SIU Investigation into Woman’s Fatal Fall from Toronto Balcony

Case Number: 20-TCD-124   

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Update: SIU Investigation into Woman’s Fatal Fall from Toronto Balcony
June 1, 2020 Update: SIU Investigation into Woman’s Fatal Fall from Toronto Balcony
June 3, 2020 Update: SIU Investigation into Woman’s Fatal Fall from Toronto Balcony
June 10, 2020 Update: SIU Investigation into Woman’s Fatal Fall from Toronto Balcony
No Reasonable Grounds to Criminally Charge any Toronto Police Service Officer in Connection with the Falling Death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet

Mississauga, ON (17 July, 2020) ---
The SIU investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of 29-year-old Regis Korchinski-Paquet – who fell from a Toronto apartment balcony on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 – is ongoing.  While the fieldwork has been completed, the file remains open pending receipt of additional information from counsel for Ms. Korchinski-Paquet’s family. 

On June 18, 2020, counsel for Ms. Korchinski-Paquet’s family made two family members available for interviews with SIU investigators. A third family member was made available to be interviewed on July 10, 2020. A fourth family member did not consent to an interview but provided a written statement to SIU investigators on July 7. While the SIU was ready to interview family members as soon as possible, it respects the time the family needed to mourn their loss prior to feeling ready to provide interviews.  These interviews are in addition to the interviews previously conducted with seven civilian witnesses, six witness officers and the subject officer.

A post-mortem examination was conducted on May 28, 2020. On June 17, 2020, the SIU received the results from the Office of the Chief Coroner. 

On July 14, 2020, the SIU learned that the family had arranged for a second post-mortem examination to be conducted outside of Ontario. Out of an abundance of caution, SIU Director Joseph Martino has decided to wait for the results of this second post-mortem before concluding the investigation and arriving at a decision.  It is our understanding that the report of that examination is not expected until August. 

At the family’s July 15, 2020 news conference, counsel for the family indicated that they had conducted their own investigation and reportedly made mention of an additional witness who was present at the apartment. Today, the SIU wrote to counsel asking that they provide the SIU with all evidence in their possession and identify any and all witnesses whom they are aware of, as soon as possible. 

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

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