SIU Investigates Deaths in Ottawa

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Jan. 18 /CNW/ - Two investigators and one forensic investigator from the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) are probing the circumstances surrounding the deaths of a man and a woman in Ottawa .

Today, the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) notified the SIU that on January 7, 2010 at 4:48 a.m. , OPS officers responded to a domestic dispute at 446 Cambridge Street South. Then on January 16, 2010 , officers returned to the same address, after being contacted by a concerned citizen. Upon arriving at the residence, officers found the bodies of a deceased 33-year-old male, identified as Andrew Ferguson , and a deceased female, who is yet to be identified. The SIU is investigating the subsequent police response to the domestic complaint on January 7, 2010 .

Postmortem examinations are being conducted today.

Investigators are appealing for anyone who may have information regarding this incident to contact the Unit at 416-622-0748 or 1-800-787-8529.

The SIU is a civilian agency that investigates cases of serious injuries (including allegations of sexual assault) and deaths involving the police. Pursuant to section 113 of the Police Services Act, the Director of the SIU is mandated to consider whether a criminal offence has been committed by an officer(s) in connection with the incident under investigation and, where warranted by the evidence, to cause a criminal charge or charges to be laid against the officer(s). The Director reports the results of investigations to the Attorney General.

For further information: Monica Hudon, SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES, Telephone/No de telephone: [phone] or/ou 1-800-787-8529