News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Death in Police Custody in Richmond Hill

Case Number: 25-OCD-056   

Other News Releases Related to Case 25-OCD-056

SIU Investigating Death of Man in York Police Custody in Richmond Hill

Mississauga, ON (27 May, 2025) ---
The Special Investigations Unit found no reasonable grounds to believe a York Regional Police officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the death of a 33-year-old man. On February 12, 2025, the man lapsed into acute medical distress in the cell, and died a short time later in hospital.

Despite being searched beforehand, the man brought illicit substances into his cell and consumed them. Director Joseph Martino said evidence showed the man was checked via video monitor every 30 minutes or so while in cells, and the man’s drug consumption was detected in fairly short order. The officers acted quickly to render medical care while waiting for paramedics to arrive.

In the result, while the cause of the man’s death remains unascertained at this time, Director Martino was satisfied that it was not attributable to any conduct on the part of any officers.

Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision):

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