Inquest into 2018 death of Sudbury man to begin later this month

Dr. Harry Mikael Voogjarv, Regional Supervising Coroner for the North Region, Sudbury Office, said the inquest would begin at 9:30 a.m., is expected to last seven days and will hear from approximately 12 witnesses. (File)

An inquest will be held beginning Aug. 26 into the death of Steven Thornton, who died in 2018 after an interaction with police in Sudbury and Barrie.

Police have already been cleared by the Special Investigations Unit of any wrongdoing in connection with his death.

Sudbury police engaged in a standoff with Thornton, 63, at his residence in Garson after he “had earlier shot his wife,” the SIU said at the time.

“Mr. Thornton, 63, was found dead in his home on Sept. 13, 2018, after an incident with Greater Sudbury Police Service and Barrie Police Service,” the coroner’s office said in a news release.

“Barrie Police Service officers later attended the scene after their assistance was requested. When officers entered the home, they located the man in a bedroom and deceased from a gunshot wound to the head.”

Dr. Harry Mikael Voogjarv, Regional Supervising Coroner for the North Region, Sudbury Office, said the inquest would begin at 9:30 a.m., is expected to last seven days and will hear from approximately 12 witnesses.

An inquest into Thornton’s death is mandatory under the Coroners Act.

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“Bonnie Goldberg will be the presiding officer and Grace Alcaide Janicas will be the inquest counsel,” the news release said.

“The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding Mr. Thornton’s death. The jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths.”

The inquest will be conducted by video conference. Members of the public who wish to view the proceedings can do so live at this link.

For more information about inquests, click here.