8th suspect charged in death of Niagara Detention Centre inmate last June

Police have charged an eighth suspect in connection with the suspicious death of an inmate at the Niagara Detention Centre last June.

The latest arrest comes after Niagara police charged seven others last week in relation to the investigation.

Emergency crews responded in the early morning hours on June 10, 2023 to the prison in Thorold where they found a 52-year-old male inmate without vital signs.

Paramedics provided first aid and CPR before the man died.

READ MORE: 5 more suspects charged in death of Niagara Detention Centre inmate last June

On Feb. 21, police charged both 19-year-old Jeremy Lowes-Kennedy of Welland and 39-year-old Kelvin Justin Bascus of St. Catharines with one count of second-degree murder.

Another five suspects were arrested on Feb. 23 and charged with one count of second-degree murder. The accused include 29-year-old Joshua LeBlanc of Welland; 23-year-old Tyler Pelikan of Welland; 44-year-old Shaun St. Denis of Welland; 23-year-old Ju-Ron Fertilien of St. Catharines; and 28-year-old Zachary Durant of Niagara Falls.

In an update Friday, police say they arrested and charged 44-year-old Julio Zari-Torres of Pelham with one count of second-degree murder.

Zari-Torres is scheduled to appear in a St. Catharines court for a bail hearing on Saturday.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the lead detective at 905-688-4111, option #3, badge #1009533.

READ MORE: 2 charged in death of Niagara Detention Centre inmate last June