Coroner’s office announces inquest into 2019 death of Hamilton man

The Ontario Coroner’s office on Friday announced an inquest into the 2019 death of Hamilton man in a Brantford hotel room.

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David Thomson, 33, died on Nov. 3, 2019 as Hamilton police officers tried to negotiate his surrender in connection with charges in Hamilton.

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Dr. Karen Schiff, regional supervising coroner for West Region, Hamilton office, announced the inquest in a statement released Dec. 1. A date and location for the inquest has yet to be determined.

The inquest, which is mandatory under the Ontario Coroner’s Act, will examine the circumstances surrounding Thomson’s death. The jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths.

Thomson’s death was investigated by the province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and Hamilton police were cleared of any wrong doing.

The SIU is the civilian oversight agency responsible for investigating circumstances involving police that have resulted in a death, serious injury, or allegations of sexual assault of a civilian in Ontario

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According to the SIU report, Hamilton police emergency services were called to the Days Inn on Fairview Drive, Brantford on Nov. 3, 2019 where Thomson was believed to be staying. Thomson was wanted in connection with a double murder in Hamilton.

Police cleared the hotel of guests and tried but failed to contact Thomson. Shortly after, a single gunshot was heard coming from the suspect’s room, the SIU report said.

A tactical robot was sent into the room to determine if there was a threat to police. Once it was determined that there was no threat, police entered and found Thomson dead on the bed with a gunshot wound and a handgun under his left hand.

A large amount of Canadian currency, a small green duffel bag and a backpack full of illicit drugs were also found, the SIU report said.

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“Whether the complainant (suspect) had intended to take his own life prior to the arrival of police, or whether he decided to do so only after he became aware of the presence of police, is unknown,” the SIU said in its report. “What is clear, however, is that no police officer was in his room at the time of the shooting, nor did any police officer discharge a firearm at any time.”

At the time, Thomson was wanted in connection with the deaths of Cheryl Nicholl, 32, and her boyfriend Donald Lowe, 62. Their bodies were found in their Hamilton townhouse late Nov. 2, 2019.

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