Proceedings to Begin July 20 by Video Conference
A public inquest into the death of Robert Shane Rhodes has been scheduled to begin next month, the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General announced Wednesday.
Dr. Harry Voogjarv, Regional Supervising Coroner for the North Region in Sudbury, said the inquest will commence at 9:30 a.m. on July 20, 2026. The proceedings will be conducted by video conference and are expected to continue for five days.
The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding the death of Rhodes, who was 49 years old when he died on April 20, 2020, following an interaction with Ontario Provincial Police officers at the Elliot Lake Probation and Parole Office.
Dr. Ronald Goldstein has been appointed as the Presiding Officer for the proceedings, while Kim Motyl will serve as inquest counsel.
Mandatory Review Under Ontario’s Coroners Act
Under Ontario’s Coroners Act, an inquest is required in certain circumstances to publicly examine the facts surrounding a death. The process is intended to establish the events leading to the death and identify potential measures that could help prevent similar incidents in the future.
According to the announcement, the inquest into Rhodes’ death is mandatory under the legislation.
A jury will hear evidence related to the case and may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths. While juries in coroners’ inquests can make recommendations to government agencies, organizations, or institutions, they do not determine legal responsibility or assign blame.
The upcoming proceedings are expected to hear testimony from approximately six witnesses over the course of the five-day hearing.
Public Access Available Through Online Viewing
The Ministry said the inquest will be conducted entirely by video conference, allowing members of the public to observe the proceedings remotely.
Public access to the hearing will be available through an online viewing link provided by the Office of the Chief Coroner.
The inquest will focus on examining the circumstances surrounding Rhodes’ death following the interaction with Ontario Provincial Police officers at the Elliot Lake Probation and Parole Office in April 2020.
Coroners’ inquests in Ontario serve a fact-finding function and are designed to improve public safety through recommendations that may emerge from the evidence presented during the hearings.
At the conclusion of the proceedings, the jury may issue recommendations intended to reduce the likelihood of similar deaths occurring in the future. Those recommendations are not legally binding but are often reviewed by relevant public agencies and institutions.
The Office of the Chief Coroner has indicated that the hearing is expected to conclude within five days, subject to the progress of witness testimony and evidence presentation.
The inquest is scheduled to begin on July 20, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., with proceedings open to public observation through the designated online platform.