Ontario coroner says mandatory inquest will examine circumstances surrounding 2018 death
The Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General has announced that an inquest will be held into the death of Drew Pearson, a 29-year-old man who died after being transferred from the Elgin Middlesex Detention Centre in London, Ont.
Dr. Elizabeth Urbantke, regional supervising coroner for the West Region, London Office, made the announcement Wednesday, confirming that the proceeding is required under Ontario’s Coroners Act.
“An inquest will be held into the death of Drew Pearson,” Dr. Elizabeth Urbantke, Regional Supervising Coroner, West Region, London Office, announced in the release.
Death occurred after hospital transfer in 2018
According to the ministry, Pearson died in hospital on Dec. 27, 2018, after being transferred from the Elgin Middlesex Detention Centre in London.
Officials said the inquest will review the circumstances surrounding his death, as required in cases involving deaths in custody or other situations prescribed by law.
The ministry noted that the purpose of the inquest is to publicly examine the facts surrounding the death. A jury hearing the evidence may make recommendations intended to help prevent similar deaths in future.
Jury may issue recommendations following proceedings
“The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding Mr. Pearson’s death,” the release stated. “The jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths.”
Coroners’ inquests in Ontario do not assign legal responsibility or determine criminal liability. Instead, they are fact-finding proceedings designed to investigate the circumstances of a death and identify potential systemic issues or safety concerns.
Such recommendations are non-binding but can influence policy changes in correctional, health-care and public safety systems.
Date and venue to be announced later
The ministry said additional information, including the date and location of the inquest, will be released at a later time.
“Further details regarding the inquest, including the date and venue, will be provided at a later date,” the release said.
Ontario’s Office of the Chief Coroner oversees inquests across the province, with mandatory proceedings required in certain categories of death, including many involving individuals who die while in custody.
For more information on coroners’ inquests, the province directs the public to Ontario’s official guidance on the inquest process.