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THUNDER BAY - The investigation looking into systemic racism in Thunder Bay policing will now take into account the recent death and disappearance of two Indigenous teens.
According to the Toronto Star, The Office of the Independent Police Review Directorate (OIPRD) will be asking Thunder Bay police for the case files of Tammy Keeash and Josiah Begg in an ongoing investigation.
The OIRPD recieves, manages, and oversees all complaints about police in Ontario.
Their investigation, which is currently in the fact-finding phase, was launched in November, and is investigating Thunder Bay police and their handling of murdered and missing Indigenous peoples, following numerous complaints by First Nations' leaders.
17-year-old Tammy Keeash’s body was found in the Neebing-McIntyre Floodway on May 7. Police said in a release that the results of the post-mortem indicated her death was consistent with drowning, and there was no evidence of criminality.
Although not officially confirmed by police or the coroner, a body found in the McIntyre River on Thursday is believed to be that of missing 14-year-old Josiah Begg, who has been missing since May 6.
The family of Josiah Begg and Nishnawbe Aski Nation leadership said of the body, “the height, the weight, his clothing, his watch, and his wallet all match,” at a news conference on Friday.
