Sudbury cop killer out on day parole has died

One of two men who have been serving time since killing a Sudbury police officer in 1993 has died, Correctional Service Canada says.

Const. Joe MacDonald was killed in the line of duty in October 1993. (Supplied)

Clinton Suzack, 59, died Feb. 18 of apparent natural causes, Chris MacMillan told CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca in an email.

"The coroner is responsible for determining the official cause of death," MacMillan said.

Suzack and Peter Pennett were convicted of first-degree murder in the October 1993 shooting death of 29-year-old Const. Joe McDonald.

They were both sentenced to life in prison.

"He had been under CSC jurisdiction since March 4, 1995," MacMillan said.

Peter Pennett (right), now 58, along with Clinton Suzack (left), shot and killed Sudbury Const. Joe MacDonald on Oct. 7, 1993. MacDonald pulled the pair over for a traffic violation and was writing a ticket when they turned on him. (File photo)

Suzack has been on day parole since March 2022, after spending nearly half his life in prison.

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Pennett, 58, was granted day parole last October.

As part of Pennett's release plan, he secured employment as a drywaller and he is ordered to stay away from the Greater Sudbury and Algoma areas.

With files from Dan Bertrand and Alana Everson.