Coroner’s inquest to examine circumstances surrounding 27-year-old’s death following transfer from Kenora Jail
The Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General has announced that an inquest into the death of Percy Adam Henry will begin on June 10, 2026, with proceedings scheduled to take place by video conference.
Dr. Kevin Miller, Regional Supervising Coroner for the Northwest Region based in Thunder Bay, confirmed the date for the inquest on May 11. The hearing is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding Henry’s death and may result in recommendations intended to prevent similar deaths in the future.
Percy Adam Henry, 27, died on February 8, 2021, at Lake of the Woods District Hospital after being transferred from the Kenora Jail. According to the Ministry, Henry was a member of Wabaseemoong Independent Nations and also had ties to Naotkamegwanning First Nation.
The inquest is expected to begin at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Etienne Esquega will serve as the presiding officer, while Peter Napier and Jenna Simpson have been appointed as inquest counsel.
Jury to Hear Testimony From Approximately 14 Witnesses
Ontario coroners’ inquests are public hearings designed to investigate deaths that fall within specific legal requirements under provincial law. The proceedings are not intended to assign criminal or civil liability but instead aim to establish the facts surrounding a death.
In this case, the jury will hear evidence related to the events leading up to Henry’s death after his transfer from custody at the Kenora Jail to Lake of the Woods District Hospital.
Officials said the inquest is expected to last eight days and hear testimony from approximately 14 witnesses. At the conclusion of the proceedings, jurors may deliver recommendations directed at improving public safety measures, institutional procedures, or health and correctional practices.
Public Access Available Through Video Conference
The Ministry stated that the proceedings will be conducted virtually through video conference technology, allowing members of the public to observe the hearings remotely.
Individuals wishing to watch the inquest live can access the proceedings through an online stream made available by the Office of the Chief Coroner.
Ontario’s coroner system regularly conducts inquests in cases involving deaths in custody, institutional settings, or other circumstances where public examination is considered necessary. Recommendations issued by juries are non-binding but are often reviewed by government agencies, health-care organizations, and correctional institutions.
The upcoming inquest into Henry’s death comes amid continued attention across Canada regarding the treatment of Indigenous individuals within correctional and health-care systems. Public inquests have increasingly been viewed as a mechanism to improve transparency and identify systemic concerns.
Inquest Process Focused on Prevention
Under Ontario law, coroners’ inquests are designed to answer five key questions: who the deceased was, how, when, where, and by what means the individual died. In addition to determining the facts, juries may suggest measures intended to reduce the likelihood of similar deaths occurring in the future.
The Ministry of the Solicitor General said additional information about coroners’ inquests and public access to the proceedings is available through Ontario government resources.
The inquest into the death of Percy Adam Henry is scheduled to continue for approximately eight days beginning June 10, 2026.