Chief coroner asks outside force to probe indigenous teen deaths in Thunder Bay
Ontario’s chief coroner has asked an outside police force to assist Thunder Bay police in investigating the deaths of two indigenous teens that garnered national attention due to concerns levelled by First Nations leaders.
Dr. Dirk Huyer said Thursday he asked the York Regional Police to get involved because it has the capacity to further investigate what happened to 14-year-old Josiah Begg and 17-year-old Tammy Keeash. The force can also provide additional personnel, he added.
Keeash’s body was found in a Thunder Bay floodway early last month and the body of Begg was found less than two weeks later.
“I felt that this was an opportunity that we could enhance the ability to get the best answers to fully understand the circumstances of these two deaths by asking for the York Regional Police to get involved and help me to get the best understanding of these deaths,” Huyer said in an interview.