An independent investigation has been launched into the October 19, 2015 death of Stacy Debungee in Thunder Bay.
The Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General has requested that the Ontario Provincial Police Criminal Investigation Branch conduct the probe.
The body of the 41-year-old man was located in the McIntyre River.
Debungee had been living in Thunder Bay, but was an Anishinaabe member of the Rainy River First Nation.
Detective Inspector Shawn Glassford says his family, his friends, his community and the public deserve to know what happened.
A dedicated tip line, 1-833-533-8477, has been established for members of the public to provide information to investigators.
You can also contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or remain anonymous by contacting Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
The initial investigation deemed his death as non-criminal within a day of his body being discovered.
Sergeant Shawn Whipple along with Staff Sergeants Shawn Harrison and Susan Kaucharik face charges of failing to perform their duties according to the Police Services Act.
Two of the officers are also accused of failing to treat or protect people equally during the case.
The passing was singled out in the 2018 Broken Trust report into how the force handled cases involving Indigenous people
(With Files From Katie Nicholls: Thunder Bay)
Ongoing #OPP investigation in #ThunderBay. Officers are at the MacIntyre River at the end of Waterford and Carrick Sts. No public safety concerns.Scene is from a 2015 death. pic.twitter.com/ddBm3AxGx6
— OPP North West Region (@OPP_NWR) October 19, 2021
