Inquest to be held into the death of a Sudbury man who died after interaction with police

An investigation by the Special Investigations Unit in 2019 cleared police of wrongdoing in the case, but an inquest is mandatory under the law. (File)

An inquest has been scheduled into the death of Steven Thornton, 63, who died in 2018 after an interaction with police in Sudbury and Barrie.

Dr. Harry Mikael Voogjarv, Regional Supervising Coroner for the North Region, Sudbury Office, announced the inquest Wednesday.

“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.

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

An investigation by the Special Investigations Unit in 2019 cleared police of wrongdoing in the case. Sudbury police engaged in a standoff with Thornton at his residence in Garson after he “had earlier shot his wife,” the SIU concluded.

“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.”

The SIU determined there were no reasonable grounds to lay criminal charges in relation to the man’s death. But an inquest into his death is mandatory under the Coroners Act.

Details regarding the date and location will be provided at a later date, the release said.

More information about the process of holding inquests in Ontario can be found here.