Inquest begins into the In-custody death of man charged in connection with 2017 McDougall remains

Officials have kicked off the inquest into the death of the man charged in connection to the human remains found in McDougall Township nearly six years ago.

The Regional Supervising Coroner for Central Region Dr. Kenneth Peckham announced in late September that the inquest would take place on Monday, October 17th.

In January 2017, police laid charges of indignity to a human body on 34-year-old Vikram Dhindsa from Mississauga. 

The charges were laid in relation to the discovery of remains of a human body on a snowmobile trail on the side of old Highway 69, just north of Avro Arrow Road, in McDougall. 

On January 18, 2017, Dhindsa was arrested and placed in custody at the Central North Correctional Centre in Penetanguishene.

A release from the coroner’s office states  Dhindsa died the same day while in custody and an inquest into his death is mandatory under the Coroners Act.

Officials say the inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding his death, adding the jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing future deaths from occurring in similar circumstances.

The inquest, which started Monday (Oct 11th) at the Midland Cultural Centre, is expected to last five days and hear from eight witnesses.