Inquest Set for October into Five Deaths During Blastomycosis Outbreak in Constance Lake First Nation
Dr. Harry Voogjarv, Regional Supervising Coroner for the North Region in Sudbury, has announced that an inquest into the deaths of five people from Constance Lake First Nation near Hearst will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. Dr. Michael Wilson will preside over the inquest, with Kristin Smith, Julian Roy, and Shruti Ramesh serving as counsel.
The inquest will address the deaths of Luke Moore (43), Lorraine Shaganash (47), Lizzie Sutherland (56), Mark Ferris (67), and Douglas Taylor (60), who died in hospital between November 19, 2021, and January 23, 2022, during a blastomycosis outbreak in Constance Lake First Nation, according to the Coroner's Office. This process is held under the Coroners Act and will examine the circumstances surrounding these deaths.
The Coroner’s Office states that the jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing future deaths in similar situations. The inquest is expected to last 25 days and will hear from approximately 30 witnesses.
Proceedings will be held in person at the Constance Lake First Nation community hall from October 15 to 17, with the rest of the sessions continuing by video conference starting October 20. Members of the public can watch the proceedings live online.
Additional information about inquests in Ontario is available on the provincial website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/coroners-inquests.