Inquest to be launched into December 2014 death of 40-year-old EMDC inmate

An inquest will be held to probe the December 2014 death of a 40-year-old Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre inmate at London Health Sciences Centre, the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services said Thursday.

The inquest, announced by Dr. Rick Mann, Regional Supervising Coroner for West Region, London Office, will look into the events surrounding the death of Jamie High on the morning of Dec. 23, 2014.

High, a London-area realtor, died at London Health Sciences Centre’s Victoria campus after being transferred there from EMDC, the Ministry said in a media release, adding an inquest is mandatory under the Coroners Act.

According to a London Free Press report, High’s family wrote to the regional coroner to request an inquest into his death.

“The jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths,” said the release.

Few details about High’s death or the inquest itself have been released. The Ministry said an inquest date and location would be provided at a later date, with Dr. Elizabeth Urbantke presiding as Inquest Coroner.

AM980 reported at the time that London Police were called out to EMDC around 10:45 a.m. on Dec. 23, 2014 after an inmate was found unresponsive at the troubled facility. The individual was transported to hospital where they died.

Police said there was no indication of foul play, and a source with knowledge of the situation told AM980 at the time that the individual reportedly overdosed while in segregation.

Authorities did not release an identity, and the facility was placed on lock down as police investigated.