News Release
SIU Closes Investigation into Hamilton Falling Death
Case Number: 10-OCD-028
Other News Releases Related to Case 10-OCD-028
The SIU assigned five investigators and two forensic investigators to probe the circumstances of this incident. The investigation found that the following events took place on February 23:
* At approximately 11:20 a.m., the two subject officers and a witness officer went to Mr. Lyon's apartment on the 8th floor of 80 Robinson Street to execute a search warrant. The investigation related to sexual offences against a child and the search warrant was an attempt to find evidence of child pornography.
* Mr. Lyon allowed the officers entry into his apartment, and he was immediately arrested by one of the subject officers.
* The evidence indicates that Mr Lyon then broke contact with the officer, darted toward the apartment balcony door, and vaulted head first over the balcony railing. He landed on the windshield of a parked pickup truck, and died instantly. There is no evidence of a struggle with police immediately before the fall.
Director Scott said, "The subject officers had the lawful authority to attend Mr. Lyon's apartment on the strength of a search warrant. They also had the grounds to arrest him. Upon his arrest, Mr. Lyon escaped the lawful custody of one of the subject officers and took his own life by jumping off an eighth floor balcony. There is no suggestion that the subject officers, by either acts or omissions, caused the death of Mr. Lyon. By all accounts, it would appear that Mr Lyon died in an effort to escape the consequences of facing charges."
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