TIMMINS - Timmins Police is investigating the submerged vehicle in Schumacher as a homicide. The family has also released a statement to help shed light on the tragedy.
Three people were killed after a vehicle entered Little Pearl Lake west of the McIntyre arena around 2:45 p.m. on Aug. 6.
The victims are seven-year-old Isabella Ottoson, 11-year-old Simon Ottoson and 42-year-old Julian Ottoson.
Today, Timmins Police provided an update on the investigation. The surviving members of the Ottoson family have also released a statement to "help make some sense of this senseless act."
According to the family statement, "Julian Ottoson took his life and the lives of his son, Simon, and daughter, Isabella."
Four years ago, Julian was diagnosed with Huntington's disease, a progressive disease that destroys a person's mental and body functions.
"It is a life sentence and there is no cure on the horizon. This disease took Julian's mother. He watched the disease take everything that made her a human, then he watched as it took her life. It broke Julian's heart to know he would be a burden on his family the same way," reads the statement.
The statement also notes that the children of a parent with Huntington's have a 50 per cent chance of inheriting the disease.
"The diagnosis took its toll on Julian's mental health, but he slowly came to terms as best one can in large measure with the strength and help of his wife, Caryn-Anne," reads the statement.
"Two years ago, cancer took Caryn-Anne from us. They type of cancer she battled carried an increased hereditary risk for her children.
"Julian was devastated. He was faced with the knowledge his children will not only have to grieve the loss of their mother, but soon their father too — then they must live with the twin Swords of Damocles — the possibility of inheriting not one, but two deadly diseases.
"This does not excuse his actions, but hopefully it helps explain the unexplainable."
The full statement from the family is available here.
Timmins Police Insp. Darren Dinel said it's believed the Ottosons died after the vehicle went under the water.
Three police officers and a number of civilian witnesses jumped in the water to pull the people out, said Dinel.
"Despite extraordinary efforts of all involved, the vehicle submerged deep into the water before the occupants could be located," he said.
The Timmins Fire Department and OPP Marine operators were on scene immediately to locate the people as well and were unsuccessful. The vehicle was located the next day, Aug. 7, by the OPP dive team from Gravenhurst. The Ottoson family and the vehicle were recovered from the lake.
"This matter has been investigated as a homicide and investigators continue to seek any available information," said Dinel.
Post-mortem examinations were done Aug. 9. The results have not been received yet.
"Based on the investigation thus far, it is clear that this was an intentional act in which the father is directly responsible for the deaths of the two young persons. The deaths are the result of the vehicle being intentionally driven into the body of water and not the result of an accidental motor vehicle collision," he said.
"Police have worked cooperatively with the family to share information and follow up with the investigation. We wish to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victims during this very difficult time and ask that their privacy be respected as they grieve."
A visitation for the Ottoson family is being held today at the Miron-Wilson Funeral Home in Timmins.
The family is receiving friends Thursday, Aug. 12 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Masks and social distancing are required, along with a maximum number of people allowed in the visitation parlour.
If you are thinking of suicide, or are worried about a friend or loved one, a 24/7 hotline is available at 1-833-456-4566. You can also text 45645 from 4 p.m. to midnight EST.
