News Release

SIU Investigation into Orillia Deaths Continues

Case Number: 11-PVD-073   

Mississauga (5 May, 2011) --- Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is continuing its investigation into the deaths on May 3 of 28-year-old Jacob Sabourin and 19-year-old Rachel Merredew, both of Kingston, Ontario.

The SIU has assigned seven investigators, three forensic investigators and an accident reconstructionist to investigate the circumstances surrounding this crash. One officer has been designated as a subject officer and six officers have been designated as witness officers. Four civilian witnesses have been interviewed.

Anyone who may have information regarding this case is asked to contact the Unit at 416-622-2290 or 1-800-787-8529 extension 2290.

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 (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
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES