A family from Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation wants the investigation into the death of Jerry Keeshig to be re-opened.
The family held a media conference this morning, calling on police officials to take another look into Keeshig’s death and help the family get closure.
He died the night of March 4th, 2018, after leaving his ex-girlfriend’s apartment where he went to visit his daughter, who was an infant at that time.
After he left the apartment, the police report says that he came back a short time later and was allegedly intoxicated, when he then threatened to harm himself.
According to the family, witnesses said that Keeshig then made gestures toward himself, and appeared as though he was hitting himself in the chest, then dropped something on the ground, and walked away.
The police report says that the “something” was a bloody kitchen knife.
At around 8:30 p.m. that evening, one witness said they had passed by the area and had seen the bloody knife on the ground.
By 9:50, Keeshig had been seen by his brother, Cory Keeshig, who asked him to call a cab so he could be taken to the hospital before continuing walking, and his brother called 911.
Police were called at 10:06 when Keeshig made his way to McArthur Tire and collapsed. A short while later, there was a call to 911 from the ex-girlfriend’s apartment at around 10:30 that evening.
In the police investigation, the knife in question was found wiped clean and placed back into its sheath. No fingerprints were ever recovered from the knife.
Keeshig passed away from his injuries at 11:19 that night.
His family says that as the investigation progressed, even his mother, Arlene Keeshig says she was never given any updates by police.
The family says that they don’t feel that the investigation was handled with compassion, nor was it looked into thoroughly — for instance, they feel that things were missed because they say the official investigation was wrapped up within 72 hours.
Keeshig’s stepfather, Eric Jenner, says that he took matters into his own hands and called the police directly to get updates. The family was informed that in order to get any details about the case, they needed to fill out a Freedom of Information request, but then they were never provided a form to fill out by the person who had told them of the need for paperwork.
He also says that Keeshig’s death doesn’t make sense, adding, “He’d [gotten] a good job at Tenneco, and he and [his girlfriend] weren’t getting along that well and I said, ‘Well, you don’t have to live with her the rest of your life, but your daughter is your obligation.”
Keeshig was looking forward to working at his new job and providing for his young daughter.
One family member even said he felt as though he was capable of raising his little girl by himself.
The family eventually did receive redacted police report documents, as well as crime scene photos, and even autopsy photos.
The official cause of death was three stab wounds to the chest, including one that punctured the pericardium — the protective sac around the heart.
Keeshig’s family members say there are too many inconsistencies between the evidence they had seen and heard, and what the police say happened.
David McLaren, who has been working with the family says that “We’re not saying the police covered things up, but we are saying that I don’t think they ran a very sophisticated or very thorough investigation.”
They have many questions still needing answers, and they feel that there are still several inconsistencies that, in their minds, have never been addressed.
The family said that Owen Sound Police Chief Craig Ambrose had previously told them that he had no problem taking another look at the case.
No representatives from the Owen Sound Police Department were present at the media conference.
The family is appealing with some recommendations to law enforcement:
1. Police Services should make every attempt to contact the family as soon as possible.
2. Police Services should do all they can to be as transparent in their investigation as possible with the family.
3. Forensic evidence must be quickly processed.
4. Timely release of Police Reports.
5. Autopsy photos don’t usually help in understanding events.