An investigation has been launched by the province’s police watchdog into the unexpected death of a man while he was held in the Ontario Provincial Police’s (OPP) Orillia detachment cells.
On the evening of October 11, 2026, three men were arrested in connection to a reported disturbance and were later taken to the OPP Orillia Detachment, where they were searched and placed in cells.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) confirmed that the three men were arrested following an alleged disturbance on the same evening and were then lodged in cells at the OPP Orillia detachment.
During a routine check around 6:30 a.m. on the following Monday, staff discovered that one of the men had no vital signs, as per investigators.
“Resuscitation efforts were immediately initiated, and EMS took over care upon their arrival,” stated the SIU in a press release. Regrettably, the 44-year-old man was pronounced deceased.
Further information was not disclosed. The case has been assigned to three investigators and one forensic investigator.
The SIU is an independent government body tasked with investigating the actions of officials that may have led to death, severe injury, sexual assault, or the use of firearms against an individual.
