DATE ANNOUNCED FOR THE INQUEST INTO THE DEATHS OF SHAWN SPAULDING, KEVIN
MULHOLLAND, DEREK SALONEN, AND JAMIE BRIGGS
June 03, 2026
Ministry of the Solicitor GeneralDr. Kenneth Peckham, Regional Supervising Coroner, Central West Region; Dr.
Karen Schiff, Regional Supervising Coroner, West Region, Hamilton Office; Dr.
Jennifer M. Dmetrichuk, Regional Supervising Coroner, Toronto East Region; and
Dr. Elizabeth Urbantke, Regional Supervising Coroner, West Region, London
Office, jointly announced today that a date has been scheduled for the inquest
into the deaths of Shawn Spaulding, Kevin Mulholland, Derek Salonen and Jamie
Briggs. The inquest will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Dr.
Richard McLean will be the presiding officer and Kristin Smith will be the
inquest counsel.
Mr. Spaulding, 25 years old, died on March 3, 2019 while in custody at the
Maplehurst Correctional Complex; Mr. Mulholland, 51 years old, died on August
15, 2020 while in custody at the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre; Mr.
Salonen, 38 years old, died on September 21, 2020 while in custody at the
Toronto South Detention Centre; and Mr. Briggs, 44 years old, died on November
16, 2022 while in custody at the Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre.
The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Mr.
Spaulding, Mr. Mulholland, Mr. Salonen, and Mr. Briggs. The jury may make
recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths.
The inquest is expected to last up to 10 days and hear from approximately 18
witnesses.
The inquest will be conducted by video conference. Members of the public who
wish to view the proceedings can do so live at the link provided below.
https://firstclassfacilitation.ca/office-of-the-chief-coroner/inquest-into-the-deaths-of-kevin-mulholland-derek-salonen-shawn-spaulding-and-jamie-briggs/For more information about inquests, see:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/coroners-inquests.
