KINGSTON, Ontario — Ontario’s Office of the Chief Coroner has scheduled a mandatory inquest into the death of Evan Freeman, a 22-year-old man who died in September 2019 following an interaction with Kingston Police officers.
The proceedings will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, November 16, 2026, and are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding Freeman’s death while considering recommendations intended to prevent similar fatalities.
The announcement was made on October 26, 2026, by Dr. Armita Rahmani, Regional Supervising Coroner for the East Region, Kingston Office, under Ontario’s Ministry of the Solicitor General.
Ontario Coroner Sets Date for Evan Freeman Inquest
The inquest will be presided over by Dr. David Eden, with Kristin Smith and Courtney Barnes serving as inquest counsel.
According to the provincial announcement, Freeman died on September 12, 2019, following an interaction with officers from Kingston Police earlier that day.
Ontario officials confirmed that an inquest into his death is mandatory under the province’s Coroners Act, which establishes the legal framework for investigating certain deaths and conducting public inquests.
The proceedings will provide a formal examination of the circumstances surrounding Freeman’s death, including evidence presented by witnesses and information considered relevant to the jury’s findings.
The province has not provided additional details about the police interaction in its announcement. The inquest will offer an opportunity for the circumstances of the incident to be examined through the coroner’s public process.
Ten-Day Hearing Expected to Include Approximately Ten Witnesses
The inquest is expected to continue for approximately ten days, with testimony anticipated from about ten witnesses.
During the hearings, the presiding officer will oversee proceedings, while inquest counsel will assist in presenting evidence and examining matters relevant to the investigation.
The jury will be responsible for considering the evidence and reaching findings within the scope of Ontario’s coroners’ inquest system.
Although the proceedings will examine the circumstances of Freeman’s death, a coroner’s inquest is not a criminal trial or a process for determining civil liability.
Instead, the proceedings focus on establishing relevant facts and identifying potential measures to reduce the risk of similar deaths in the future.
Inquest Jury May Recommend Measures to Prevent Future Deaths
A central component of the upcoming inquest will be the jury’s ability to make recommendations addressing public safety and death prevention.
Under Ontario’s coroners’ inquest framework, juries examine evidence concerning a death and may propose changes to practices, procedures or policies where appropriate.
Recommendations Could Inform Public Safety Practices
Recommendations arising from coroners’ inquests can be directed toward organizations, institutions or government bodies positioned to implement preventive measures.
Such recommendations are not legally binding, but they can inform operational reviews, institutional policies and broader public safety discussions.
In cases involving interactions with law enforcement, the inquest process can provide an opportunity to examine circumstances relevant to police procedures and public safety. Any specific recommendations in Freeman’s case will depend on the evidence presented and the jury’s conclusions.
The province has not indicated what recommendations, if any, the jury may ultimately make.
Public Can Watch Evan Freeman Inquest Through Online Livestream
Ontario officials confirmed that the proceedings will take place by video conference, allowing members of the public to observe the hearings remotely.
The virtual format will provide access to the proceedings without requiring attendees to travel to a physical hearing location.
Members of the public interested in following the case can watch the proceedings through the designated online viewing page.
Inquest details:
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Start date: Monday, November 16, 2026
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Start time: 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time
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Expected duration: Approximately ten days
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Anticipated witnesses: Approximately ten
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Presiding officer: Dr. David Eden
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Inquest counsel: Kristin Smith and Courtney Barnes
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Format: Video conference with public livestream
The official viewing page is available at:
Additional information about Ontario’s coroners’ inquest process is available through the provincial government’s website at https://www.ontario.ca/page/coroners-inquests.
Inquest to Examine Circumstances of 2019 Death
The November proceedings will mark a formal public examination of Freeman’s death more than seven years after the incident involving Kingston Police.
With approximately ten witnesses expected, the hearings will focus on establishing the relevant circumstances and determining whether preventive recommendations are warranted.
The inquest’s findings and any resulting recommendations could contribute to discussions about public safety and institutional accountability in Ontario, while providing a documented examination of the circumstances surrounding Freeman’s death.
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