SIU clears Hamilton officer in teens’ deaths

The off-duty police officer who spoke with two teens before their bodies were found below the Hamilton escarpment was not at fault.

Alexander McCormack, 17, and Irn Mace, also 17, committed suicide on the Jolley Cut in the early morning of Saturday June 16.

The police watchdog has concluded that there are no reasonable grounds to charge the officer with any criminal offence in connection with their deaths. The Special Investigations Unit found both teens left suicide notes.

The off-duty Hamilton Police officer, whose identity has not been released, spotted the two Saltfleet High School students standing if front of the safety railing overlooking the Jolley Cut gorge, and warned them about the danger there. He reported what he saw to police dispatch after the encounter. An hour later, their bodies were found.