Their father passed away, but Toronto police failed to notify them. They are determined to prevent this oversight from occurring again.

The Taylor family was left in shock and disbelief after discovering that their father, Douglas Taylor, had passed away 11 days prior without them being notified. James Taylor, who hadn’t heard from his father in over a week, went to visit him at his Toronto apartment only to find a police seal on the door. The family learned of his death through a freedom of information request, revealing that they were listed as next of kin but were never contacted by the police.

Despite attempts to reach out to the police for answers, the family has been left in the dark about why they weren’t notified of their father’s passing. They have since sent a letter outlining possible legal action but are focused on ensuring this doesn’t happen to anyone else in the future.

The police report indicated that there were missed opportunities to contact the family, including incorrect phone numbers and a lack of follow-up. Former Toronto mayor John Sewell criticized the police for their handling of the situation, calling it an “abrogation of responsibility.”

WoodGreen, the organization managing the apartment complex where Taylor lived, also came under scrutiny for not providing accurate next of kin information to the police. The family is seeking answers and closure while advocating for improved policies and procedures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

The Taylor family remembers Douglas as a kind-hearted and empathetic man who touched the lives of everyone he met. They are determined to seek justice for their father and ensure that no other family has to endure the same heartache of not being notified of a loved one’s passing.