Ontario’s Office of the Chief Coroner has scheduled a long-awaited inquest into the death of Ryan Rawson-Keeley, a 38-year-old man who died while in custody at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre in 2021, the province’s Ministry of the Solicitor General announced Tuesday.
Dr. Louise McNaughton-Filion, Regional Supervising Coroner for the East Region in Ottawa, said the inquest will begin at 9:30 a.m. on March 2, 2026, and will be conducted virtually. Dr. Geoffrey Bond will preside over the proceedings, while Robert Kozak has been appointed inquest counsel.
Mr. Rawson-Keeley died on March 2, 2021, while in custody at the Ottawa jail. Under Ontario’s Coroners Act, an inquest is mandatory for deaths that occur in custody, reflecting the province’s legal requirement for independent public review in such cases.
The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding Mr. Rawson-Keeley’s death. A jury will hear evidence and may issue recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths in the future. While juries at coroner’s inquests cannot assign legal responsibility or determine guilt, their recommendations often influence policy, operational practices, and institutional oversight within correctional facilities and other public institutions.
The proceeding is expected to last approximately 10 days and hear testimony from about 10 witnesses. These witnesses typically include medical professionals, correctional staff, investigators, and other individuals involved in the events leading up to the death.
The hearing will take place by video conference, continuing a practice adopted more widely since the COVID-19 pandemic to allow broader access while managing logistical constraints. Members of the public will be able to observe the proceedings live through an online broadcast link provided by the Office of the Chief Coroner.
Inquests play a significant role in Ontario’s death investigation system, particularly in cases involving individuals in state custody. The process is designed to promote transparency and accountability by publicly examining the facts and identifying opportunities for systemic improvement.
Deaths in correctional facilities have drawn increasing scrutiny in recent years from advocacy groups, policymakers, and oversight bodies concerned about inmate health care, mental health supports, staffing levels, and institutional conditions. Recommendations from previous inquests have addressed issues ranging from suicide prevention measures to medical monitoring protocols and staff training.
The Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre, a provincial facility that houses adult male inmates awaiting trial or serving shorter sentences, has been the subject of prior reviews and oversight discussions, reflecting broader challenges facing correctional institutions across Canada. These challenges include overcrowding, aging infrastructure, and growing demands on inmate health services.
The upcoming inquest represents a formal opportunity to publicly review the events surrounding Mr. Rawson-Keeley’s death and to consider whether changes could reduce risks for others in custody.
In Ontario, coroner’s inquests form part of a broader framework overseen by the Office of the Chief Coroner, which investigates thousands of deaths annually. Mandatory inquests are required in specific circumstances, including deaths in custody and certain workplace fatalities.
While the process does not result in criminal charges or civil findings, its conclusions can carry operational and reputational implications for institutions and government agencies, particularly if recommendations highlight systemic gaps or risks.
Members of the public, media, and other interested parties can attend virtually, reflecting the province’s commitment to public access and transparency in death investigations.
The inquest into Mr. Rawson-Keeley’s death will begin exactly five years after his death, marking a significant milestone in the review process and potentially providing answers to outstanding questions about the circumstances surrounding his final days in custody.