'He loved life': Father has questions about son's death at EMDC

WinstonBrightmansays he has questions about how his son, a father of three girls with "a heart of gold," became over the weekend the 14thinmate to die at London's notorious Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre in the past 10 years.

"He was the most energetic, non-selfish, intelligent father," said Winston Brightmanof his son, Sean William Brightman-Tourand, in an interview with CBCNews on Tuesday. "There was so much goodness in him."

Officials with the Ministry of Corrections and Community Safety confirmed the death Monday. They said a man was found in medical distress at the jail and rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Tourand-Brightman, also known as "Junior" to his friends and family, was 33-years-old.

WinstonBrightmanadmitted his son had a troubled past, but said after struggles with mental health and drug use, Sean had been clean for four months.Brightmanalso said his sonwas elated after his eldest daughter, a teenager, came to visit him at the jail less than a week before he died.

"He loved his family, he loved life," saidBrightman. "He got lost. He always tried to make things better, but things were hard on him."

An obituary for Tourand-Brightmansays"Sean will forever be in the hearts of many cousins, extended family and friends."

• Inmate death toll at EMDC climbs to 14 after weekend fatality

London police are working with the coroner's officer to determine the cause of death. The Ministry said it is also conducting an internal probe to ensure staff followed proper protocols.

Details such as cause of death and time of death won't come until the completion of a pathologist's report, which could take four to six months.

Court documents obtained by CBC News show Sean Brightman-Tourandhas beenin and out of jail for the past two years. His outstanding charges at the time of his death include breaching recognisance orders, failing to appear in court, theft, break and enter and possession of fentanyl.

He was sent to EMDC in July after missing a court appearance.

He was released into the custody of a family member in the fall and re-arrested after failing to comply with the terms of his release. He was re-arrested and sent back to EMDC in November.

Winston Brightmansaid he was expecting his son to be released from jail this month so that he could get addictions treatment.

His father also said he has trouble believingthat Sean's death was the result of an overdose or suicide.

"There's a lot of questions to be asked and answered," he said.

Sean Tourand-Brightmanalso competed for a time as a mixed martial arts fighter. Online databases show two fights on his record, both loses, the last back in 2010.

Others who've lost loved ones inside EMDC say they understand the Brightman-Tourandfamily's pain.

"It's very devastating," said Lynn Pigeau, whose brother died last year while at EMDC. "I was hoping that he would have been the last."

Those wishing to make donations in Tourand-Brightman's name are being asked to give to the John Howard Society, an agency that works with people who have come into conflict with the law.

A memorial is planned at EMDCfor Friday evening to honour Tourand-Brightman. Families of other deceased inmates have erected 13 personalizedwhite crosses.

"Looks like we're going to be putting number 14 up," said Pigeau. "We're really, really going to be pushing [the government to make the jail safer]starting now."