9th suspect charged in death of Niagara Detention Centre inmate last June

Police have charged a ninth 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 eight others over the last month 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.

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 each of second-degree murder.

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

Another five suspects were arrested on Feb. 23 and charged with one count each 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.

On March 1, police also arrested and charged 44-year-old Julio Zari-Torres of Pelham with one count of second-degree murder.

In an update Friday, officers say 25-year-old Eric Smoke of Hamilton was charged with one count of second-degree murder in connection with this investigation.

At the time of his arrest, police say Smoke was in custody on an unrelated matter.

Smoke appeared in a St. Catharines court Friday for a bail hearing.

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

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