'Roland' McKay identified as Indigenous man found dead in Thunder Bay police cell

The 50-year-old man, who reportedly died in a Thunder Bay, Ont., police cell on Wednesday July 19, has been identified as Marlon Jerry McKay, known to family and friends as "Roland" of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, confirmed James Cutfeet, the chief of the northwestern Ontario First Nation.

• Special Investigations Unit probing death of man in Thunder Bay police cell

McKay is the second person from the community to die in the past two months, while visiting Thunder Bay for medical reasons, Cutfeet said in a written release Tuesday.

The body of 14-year-old Josiah Begg was pulled from a city river on May 19, 2017. The teenager, along with his father, was also in Thunder Bay to access medical services.

• Body of teen Josiah Begg found in Thunder Bay, Ont., river

McKay in Thunder Bay for medical services

McKay, who was in the city for a health care appointment, went into medical distress at approximately 8 p.m. on July 19, Cutfeet said.

A call was made to 911 and paramedics were dispatched, with the Thunder Bay police arriving soon after.

"The paramedics declared the late Marlon McKay medically fit on-site prior to handing him off into the custody of the Thunder Bay police," Cutfeet stated.

Around midnight, McKay, who was now at the Thunder Bay police station,was found "not breathing and unresponsive." He was taken to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centrewhere he was declared dead, said Cutfeet.

Cause of death still unknown

A post-mortem was conducted in Toronto, but the cause of death is yet to be determined, Cutfeet said.

The provincial Special Investigations Unit is now examining the case.

The watchdog organization is called in to investigate incidents involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.

Funeral arrangements for McKay will be made once the Chief Coroner's office releases the body, said Cutfeet.