On March 29th, 2022, Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) detectives assigned to 1 District (St. Catharines / Thorold) commenced an investigation into the death of a 32-year-old man who was found deceased in his apartment, located in the Roehampton Avenue area of the City of St. Catharines.
In partnership with NRPS detectives assigned to the Opioid Enforcement and Education Unit (OEEU), investigators identified criminality, resulting in the arrest of two adult individuals from the City of Hamilton.
A 33-year-old male was charged on May 5th, 2022, with the following offences:
• Take Motor Vehicle Without Consent – CC Section 355
• Fail To Comply with Release Order – CC Section 145(5)
A 30-year-old female was charged on May 23rd, 2022, with the offence of:
• Take Motor Vehicle Without Consent – CC Section 355
Further investigation into the death of the 32-year-old male revealed his death was directly related to the consumption of an illegally obtained opioid, specifically fentanyl.
On Friday June 10th, 2022, the 33-year-old male from the City of Hamilton, who is currently in custody at the Hamilton Wentworth Detention Center appeared via video link to the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street in the City of St. Catharines. During his court appearance he was charged with the following three offences:
• Manslaughter – CC Section 236(b)
• Trafficking a Controlled Substance x2 – CDSA Section 5(1)
• Fail to Comply with Release Order – CC Section 145(5)
The two persons charged are not being identified, as doing so would identify witnesses and comprise the integrity of the investigation through the judicial process.
The OEEU is funded by the Ontario Government’s Community and Safety Policing Grant. The OEEU is a Niagara Regional Police Service initiative focused on education regarding the risk associated with illicit opioid use, while incorporating enforcement to address opioid-related issues within our community.
Anyone who may have information in relation to this incident is encouraged to contact the lead detective at 905-688-4111, option #3, badge #1009602.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information that leads to an arrest.
Incident #22-31782