Date and Details Announced
An inquest has been scheduled into the deaths of two men who died in hospital after sustaining injuries while in custody at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre (OCDC). The proceedings, announced Tuesday by Ontario’s Ministry of the Solicitor General, will begin later this month and are expected to provide insight into how the incidents occurred.
Dr. Louise McNaughton-Filion, Regional Supervising Coroner for the East Region, Ottawa Office, confirmed that the inquest will commence at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, October 27, 2025. The hearings will be presided over by Dr. Richard Wells, with Peter Napier serving as inquest counsel.
According to the Ministry, 27-year-old Zakaria Sheek Hussein died on July 24, 2021, and 49-year-old William Renwick died on November 8, 2020. Both men succumbed to injuries sustained while incarcerated at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre. Because the deaths occurred while the individuals were in custody, an inquest is mandatory under Ontario’s Coroners Act.
Purpose of the Inquest
The inquest will aim to establish the facts surrounding the two deaths and identify any systemic issues that may have contributed to them. While inquests do not assign legal blame, they serve as an important mechanism for reviewing policies and procedures in correctional institutions and developing recommendations to prevent future tragedies.
“The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding their deaths. The jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths,” the Ministry’s statement said.
The process is expected to last four days and will hear testimony from approximately three witnesses. Officials confirmed that the inquest will be conducted via video conference, allowing members of the public to observe the proceedings remotely.
Public Access and Transparency
The Ministry emphasized that transparency is a key part of the process. Members of the public who wish to view the proceedings can do so live through the Office of the Chief Coroner’s online portal.
For those seeking more information about the role of inquests in Ontario, additional details are available on the provincial government’s official website:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/coroners-inquests.
Background and Broader Context
The Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre has faced scrutiny over the years regarding inmate welfare, facility conditions, and medical oversight. Inquests such as this one often serve as an important forum for identifying systemic challenges and recommending reforms within Ontario’s correctional system.
Under the Coroners Act, inquests are designed to be fact-finding, not fault-finding. The jury’s role is to hear evidence, review expert testimony, and develop recommendations that may inform operational or policy improvements. While the recommendations are not legally binding, they can lead to changes in training, supervision, and health-care practices in detention facilities across the province.
The deaths of Mr. Sheek Hussein and Mr. Renwick occurred within less than a year of each other, raising concerns about conditions and safety protocols at the OCDC. Advocacy groups and community leaders have repeatedly called for greater oversight of correctional facilities, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.
Looking Ahead
The upcoming inquest will provide a public platform to examine how two men in provincial custody suffered fatal injuries and to determine what lessons can be drawn from their cases. Families of the deceased, correctional staff, and reform advocates are expected to closely follow the proceedings, hopeful that the findings will lead to tangible improvements in inmate care and safety.
By shedding light on the circumstances surrounding these deaths, the inquest seeks not only to provide answers but also to strengthen trust in Ontario’s correctional system and the oversight mechanisms designed to protect those in custody.
