THUNDER BAY -- The chief coroner of Ontario has enlisted an outside police agency to assist with the investigations into the deaths of Tammy Keeash and Josiah Begg.
Dr. Dirk Huyer on Thursday confirmed he has requested the York Regional Police assist with the ongoing coroner's investigation into the deaths of the two Indigenous teens, who were found in Thunder Bay waterways last month.
Huyer said the involvement of the York Regional Police is not an indictment of the investigation initially conducted by the Thunder Bay Police Service but instead an opportunity to utilize a fresh perspective.
"This is not a review, this is not a re-investigation," Huyer said.
"This is engaging York Regional Police under my authority and reporting to me to take the necessary investigative steps they believe are required to give us the best answers to the circumstances of these deaths. Their investigators, I've asked them to become involved. They will learn what information has been currently identified by the Thunder Bay Police Service and by other investigations that have occurred from our office. They will take that information, they will determine what are the next steps they need to take."
Both teens were last reportedly seen on the night of May 6. The body of the 17-year-old Keeash was found in the Neebing-McIntyre River on May 7, hours after she was reported missing to police. A media release issued within a week of her death said the coroner determined the cause of death to be consistent with drowning and there was no evidence of criminality.
The body of the 14-year-old Begg was found in the McIntyre River on May 18, nearly two weeks after his disappearance. On May 24 the lead police investigator said there was no evidence how Begg entered the water.
"From what I've heard from the community, people are wondering how these deaths occurred, how the two youth ended up in the river, what circumstances may have led to that," Huyer said.
"All of these questions are continuing to be present and these are the kinds of questions that we deal with death investigations on a routine basis. None of these are routine deaths but it's trying to understand fully the circumstances."
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler has previously called for the RCMP to take over the investigation into the deaths, and has said Thunder Bay has a “crisis in policing.”
The Keeash family, in particular, has significant questions about the investigation, Fiddler said.
“I really hope that they will go beyond what’s been done so far,” Fiddler said. “I think it’s important every angle be looked at and that all the circumstances that may have led to these tragic deaths be closely examined and as a result provide some answers to the families.”
Fiddler referenced the Thunder Bay police investigation into the October 2015 death of 41-year-old Stacy DeBungee, whose body was also found in the McIntyre River. Police publicly stated there was no evidence of foul play before the identity of the body had been publicly revealed.
That case has been subsequently been reviewed by the OPP, though its findings have not been disclosed.
Huyer said he decided to request the services of the York Regional Police on Monday and met with officials from both police agencies on Wednesday, where he received indications the Thunder Bay police will “work collaboratively and cooperatively.”
"These are significant occurrences and these are very serious tragedies," Huyer said. "We should be looking at them in a serious way. The Thunder Bay police have dedicated a significant amount of resources towards this. This is about adding resources, adding capacity, adding additional perspectives."
Thunder Bay Police Service acting chief Sylvie Hauth declined to be interviewed but in a statement said the investigation is ongoing, as questions still remain, adding the additional resources will assist in the continuation of the two death investigations.
“These additional investigative resources and support serve the families’ and the public’s interest,” Hauth said.
Huyer said Nishnawbe Aski Police Service chief Terry Armstrong has committed to also provide assistance, and that police force will also be involved.
Keeash, from North Caribou Lake First Nation, was living in a group home in Thunder Bay. Begg, from Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation, was visiting the city with his father for a series of appointments.
