An inquest set to start next week into the deaths of six men who died while in custody at the Niagara Detention Centre in Thorold, or after transfer to hospitals in the Niagara Region, has been put off.
A news release today from the Ministry of the Solicitor General said the presiding officer has directed that the inquest into the deaths of Timothy Anderson, Murray Balogh, Jordan Case, David Cowe, Michael Croft, and Jahrell Lungs be postponed.
Anderson, 42, died on Dec. 19, 2020; Balogh, 20, died on Feb. 23, 2022; Case, 22, died on Dec. 1, 2018; Cowe, 32, died on Jan. 11, 2018; Croft, 38, died on July 25, 2020; and Lungs, 26, died on Aug. 1, 2021.
Inquests into their deaths are mandatory under the Coroners Act.
The inquest, which was set to start Monday, was to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths.
The release gave no reason for the postponement and said further information will be provided when it becomes available.
