News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Woman’s Death in Hamilton

Case Number: 25-OCD-055   

Other News Releases Related to Case 25-OCD-055

SIU Investigating Death of Woman in Custody of Hamilton Police

Mississauga, ON (6 October, 2025) ---
A 31-year-old woman lapsed into medical crisis while in a Hamilton Police Service cell on February 11, 2025, and was subsequently pronounced deceased. The SIU was notified of the incident and initiated an investigation.  The officer with overall responsibility for the care of prisoners at the time of the events in question was identified as the subject official. The investigation is now concluded. On his assessment of the evidence, SIU Director Joseph Martino determined there were no reasonable grounds to believe that the officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the woman’s death. 

Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision): https://www.siu.on.ca/en/directors_reports.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

Lisez ce communiqué en français.

Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES