Suspicious death

The suspicious death of a murder suspect housed at the Thunder Bay District Jail will result in a coroner’s inquest.

Cody Allister Thompson, 18, was rushed to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre on Aug. 11, and while they can’t give an exact cause of his death, a Thunder Bay Police Services spokesman says drugs may have been involved.

Thompson, who has been in custody ever since he was charged last March, died in hospital last Friday.

"Our investigators are now looking at the possible aspect of drug use that may or may not have had some connection with Mr. Thompson," Chris Adams said on Tuesday.

Thompson was awaiting trial on second-degree murder charges in the March 2011 death of Robert Topping.

On March 19, at about 12:30 a.m.,Thunder Bay Police Service officers responded to a 911 call about an alleged break and enter and assault at a Minnesota Street home.

The 54-year-old Topping had gone to that home after a friend had told him that she was concerned about suspicious activity going on outside her house.

Thompson, a married father of two, was one of four men charged in the murder.
Adams said while the death is a coroner’s investigation, police are also investigating the cause of death.

When asked on Tuesday, an official from the coroner’s office refused to release Thompson’s autopsy results, but confirmed a mandatory inquest would be conducted.

Adams said he was unsure what impact the death would have on the trial process.

Thompson was scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 31 to face second-degree murder charges alsong side Nick Andrew Webber, 18; Sheldon Paul Ryan Wabason, 19 and Christopher John Hawk, 20.

The Crown plans to ask the court to withdraw the charges against Thompson, a formality a spokesperson said.