Skip to content

Deceased person found near homeless shelter in Orillia

'As staff, as volunteers, as participants, we are all mourning the deaths of anyone in our community,' says Lighthouse official
opplighthouse-11-12-24-1
There will be a police presence near Front and Queen Street today for "several hours" according to OPP Central Region.

A deceased person was found behind an Orillia business near Front and Queen Street on Tuesday morning.

Orillia OPP Const. Derek Tilley says there is no threat to public safety, but noted the death is not suspicious.

OPP Central Region posted on X just after 11 a.m. to state that the death is under investigation and there will be a police presence in the area for "several hours."

Linda Goodall, the executive director of the Lighthouse, couldn't confirm whether the deceased person was a shelter participant.

"We don't confirm or deny if anyone is staying here," she said. "That's for confidentiality and dignity for those individuals."

Goodall says the Lighthouse is hurting today for the person who lost their life and their family.

"There have been more deaths in our community, of our community members, for a variety of different reasons," she said. "As staff, as volunteers, as participants, we are all mourning the deaths of anyone in our community."

Goodall says the community needs to work together and not against each other "in times of crisis like this."

"As a community, the one way we can help is to support each other," she said. "Support our organizations, support our businesses, so we are not placing that blame on anyone. Just take care of people."



Tyler Evans

About the Author: Tyler Evans

Tyler Evans got his start in the news business when he was just 15-years-old and now serves as a video producer and reporter with OrilliaMatters
Read more