Damian Sobieraj death investigation
A 15-year old Brockville youth has been arrested this morning in relation to the September 13, 2018 death of 33-year old Damian Sobieraj at Hardy Park.
The youth, who cannot be named, will appear in Bail Court later this afternoon facing charges of Manslaughter, Criminal Negligence Causing Death, Obstruct Police, and Assault.
On the evening of Thursday, September 13, 2018, shortly after 10:30 p.m., Brockville Police received a 911 call from an unidentified male indicating he was in an altercation at Hardy Park with a group of youths. Before 911 Communicators could get the caller’s name and location, the call was dropped and communication lost. Officers responding to the scene stopped persons leaving the park, who indicated they knew nothing of the call. Officers were later able to identify the caller by obtaining subscriber information from the caller’s phone. With the assistance of Brockville Police K9 Unit the entire park was searched and no other persons were located in the park. All officers were able to locate was Sobieraj’s dog, Rosie.
The following day, with the assistance of the OPP Underwater Search & Rescue Unit, the body of Damian Sobieraj was located in the river a short distance from the shoreline of Hardy Park. Since that time, four members of the Detective office of the Brockville Police Service have been working full time on the investigation, resulting in today’s arrest.
From the beginning of the investigation, Damian’s family has been in constant contact with the investigative team and updated on the progress of the investigation. At this time, the family is dealing with the tragic loss of a loved one, and police ask that their privacy be respected.