SIU Clears Thunder Bay Officer in Death of Woman, Family Disappointed

The Ontario Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has concluded its investigation into the death of Jenna Ostberg, a 21-year-old woman found deceased in a home in Thunder Bay. The SIU determined there were no grounds to lay criminal charges against a Thunder Bay police officer who approved the cancellation of a domestic disturbance call related to the incident.

The SIU report details that Ostberg was found without vital signs in a closet in her boyfriend’s bedroom on December 30, 2023. Earlier that morning, around 2 a.m., Ostberg and her boyfriend had been arguing, prompting his mother to call 911 to report an "unwanted visitor." The mother wanted Ostberg removed from the home due to a court order preventing the couple from contact following a previous domestic assault.

The mother later called 911 again to cancel the request, believing Ostberg had left. The officer confirmed the cancellation at 3:08 a.m. The boyfriend subsequently called 911 around 10:30 a.m. after finding Ostberg in the closet.

A law firm representing Ostberg’s family expressed deep disappointment with the SIU's findings, believing that a police response to the initial call could have saved her life. The family is reviewing the report and considering their next steps. Ostberg’s parents stated they are committed to honoring their daughter's memory and expressed a lack of confidence in the Thunder Bay police's ability to investigate deaths or ensure the safety of First Nations people.

The SIU director acknowledged that the officer's decision to cancel the call could be seen as a failure in his duty of care, given the history of violence. However, the director also noted that the officer could have reasonably believed the potential for violence had dissipated. The report highlighted the difficulty in establishing criminal liability, particularly regarding the timing of any potential negligence and its causal link to Ostberg’s death.

Medical experts were unable to determine the exact time of death, but the report suggested the possibility of suicide shortly after Ostberg's last known activity at 2:42 a.m. The SIU director concluded that the officer had a limited window of time to assess the situation and make a decision, considering the busy nature of the communications center and the time it would take for officers to respond. The director found that any potential negligence by the officer did not meet the threshold for criminal liability. The Thunder Bay Police Service will now conduct an administrative review of the case.