Inquest into the death of Hamilton teen Devon Freeman starts Sept. 26
Published September 14, 2022 at 4:24 pm
Warning: This article contains mentions of suicide.
An inquest into the death of teen Devon Freeman, who was living in Hamilton when he died, starts this month in Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation.
Freeman, 17, who was a member of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation, was reported missing from the Lynwood Charlton Centre in Flamborough in October 2017. He was found dead in a wooded area roughly 35 metres from the home by a fellow resident who was chasing a ball into the woods on April 12, 2018.
His body had reportedly been there for sometime and family members wondered why it took so long to find him. They also questioned why police didn’t have enough information about Devon’s mental health. He died by suicide.
Back in February 2020, the province announced there would be an inquest and they have now set dates.
The inquest into the death of Devon Freeman will start on Sept. 26 at 10 a.m. in Georgina Island Community Centre, 893 Chief Joseph Snake Rd., Jacksons Point, Dr. Karen Schiff, regional supervising coroner for west region, Hamilton office announced on Sept. 14.
The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding Freeman’s death. The jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing future deaths from occurring in similar circumstances.
The inquest is expected to last 17 days and hear from approximately 31 witnesses.
The inquest will continue at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 28 at the Hamilton Convention Centre at 1 Summers Ln., and will remain at that location until it concludes on Oct. 21.
Jennifer Scott will be the presiding officer. Inquest counsel will be Kim Motyl, Brett Moodie and Uko Abara.