Ontario’s Office of the Chief Coroner has scheduled a mandatory inquest into the deaths of four men who died while in custody or following transfers to hospital from the Toronto South Detention Centre.
The proceedings examining the deaths of Anton Chadide-Yamine, Anthony Chatzimanolakis, Darrell Harper and Robert Quinn will begin at 9:30 a.m. on September 14, 2026. The inquest is expected to run for approximately 10 days and hear evidence from about 16 witnesses.
The Ministry of the Solicitor General announced the date on August 20 through Dr. Richard Wells, Regional Supervising Coroner for the Toronto West Region.
Inquest to Examine Circumstances Surrounding Four Deaths
The four deaths occurred between June 2021 and March 2023, with each individual dying either while in custody or after being transferred from the Toronto South Detention Centre to hospital.
Darrell Harper, 37, died on June 23, 2021, while Robert Quinn, 41, died on October 1 of the same year. Anton Chadide-Yamine, 44, died on January 2, 2022, and Anthony Chatzimanolakis, 30, died on March 25, 2023.
Under Ontario’s Coroners Act, an inquest into their deaths is mandatory.
The proceedings will examine the circumstances surrounding each death and provide a public forum for evidence relating to the cases. At the conclusion of the process, the inquest jury may make recommendations intended to help prevent similar deaths in the future.
About 16 Witnesses Expected to Give Evidence
Dr. Geoffrey Bond will serve as the presiding officer for the inquest. Peter Napier and Nicole Bailey have been appointed as inquest counsel.
Over the anticipated 10-day hearing, approximately 16 witnesses are expected to provide evidence. The proceedings will focus on establishing the circumstances surrounding the deaths and identifying potential measures that could reduce the risk of similar incidents.
Coroner’s inquests in Ontario are public hearings designed to examine deaths in circumstances specified under provincial legislation. While a jury may issue recommendations following an inquest, the process does not determine criminal or civil liability.
Proceedings Will Be Accessible to the Public Online
The September hearing will be conducted entirely by video conference, allowing members of the public to follow the proceedings remotely.
A live stream of the inquest will be available through the online page established for the proceedings.
The virtual format provides public access without requiring attendees to travel to a physical hearing location. The province has increasingly used video conferencing to facilitate access to coroner’s inquests and other proceedings.
Inquest Recommendations Can Address Prevention Measures
The jury’s role will include considering the evidence presented during the hearing and determining whether recommendations should be made to prevent further deaths.
Such recommendations can address practices, procedures, policies or other systemic issues identified through testimony and evidence. They are intended to improve public safety and inform organizations or government bodies that may be able to implement preventive measures.
The upcoming hearing brings together four deaths connected with the Toronto South Detention Centre over a period of less than two years.
With the proceedings scheduled to begin September 14, the inquest will provide a formal examination of the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Chadide-Yamine, Chatzimanolakis, Harper and Quinn, while giving the jury an opportunity to identify measures that could help prevent similar deaths in Ontario’s correctional system.