Mandatory Coroner’s Inquest Scheduled to Begin August 10 in Thunder Bay Region
The Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario has scheduled a mandatory inquest into the death of Troy Payash, a 35-year-old man who died in June 2019 following an interaction with officers from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
Dr. Kevin Miller, Regional Supervising Coroner for the Thunder Bay Region, announced that the inquest will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, August 10, 2026. The proceedings will be conducted by video conference and are expected to continue for approximately 10 days.
The inquest will be overseen by Dr. Richard Wells, who will serve as the presiding officer. Vivian Sim and Philip Tsui have been appointed as counsel for the inquest.
Inquest to Examine Circumstances Surrounding 2019 Death
Troy Payash died on June 15, 2019, several days after an interaction with Ontario Provincial Police officers that took place on June 10, 2019.
Under Ontario’s Coroners Act, an inquest into Mr. Payash’s death is mandatory. The purpose of the proceeding is to examine the facts and circumstances surrounding the death in a public forum. Coroners’ inquests do not determine civil or criminal liability but instead focus on understanding the events that occurred and identifying potential measures to improve public safety.
Jury May Recommend Measures to Prevent Similar Deaths
At the conclusion of the inquest, the jury may issue recommendations intended to help prevent similar deaths in the future. While any recommendations are not legally binding, they can inform policies, operational practices and procedures across public agencies and institutions.
Officials have indicated that the inquest is expected to hear testimony from approximately 13 witnesses over the course of the proceedings.
Public Access Available Through Live Video Conference
The inquest will be held entirely by video conference, allowing members of the public to observe the proceedings remotely.
Ontario officials have made a live viewing link available for anyone wishing to follow the hearings online. The virtual format is intended to provide public access while facilitating the conduct of the proceedings.
The Office of the Chief Coroner also encourages members of the public seeking additional information about the inquest process to review resources explaining how coroner’s inquests operate in Ontario, including their purpose, procedures and the role of juries in making recommendations aimed at preventing future deaths.
The inquest into the death of Troy Payash is expected to conclude after approximately 10 hearing days, subject to the progress of witness testimony and other procedural matters.