Nathaniel Schofield's mother marks one year since his death in OPP custody
Nathaniel Schofield died one year ago while in the custody of Ontario Provincial Police and his mother, Faye Dzikewich, is still fighting for answers.
On Thursday, the anniversary of his passing, Dzikewich left a stuffed bear and a sign outside the OPP detachment in Rockwood where her son spent his last hours.
'In loving memory of Nathaniel Schofield,' the sign said. 'He could've been saved! His life mattered. One year ago today. R.I.P.'
Nathaniel Schofield
Nathaniel Schofield in an undated photograph. (Source: Faye Dzikewich)
She ended by thanking firefighters and paramedics in Rockwood.
Schofield, 36, was arrested in connection to a domestic violence incident on July 9, 2024.
A report from the Special Investigations Unit, released last March, said he became ill while in custody and died the following the morning. An autopsy determined he overdosed on fentanyl and methamphetamines, while cocaine was also found in his system.
south wellington opp
The South Wellington OPP facility in Rockwood Ont. on July 11, 2024. (Colton Wiens/CTV News)
The morning Schofield died, Dzikewich was sitting in the courthouse waiting for her son's arrival. She said she waited hours before learning what had happened.
Dzikewich does not believe drugs caused his death.
She filed a formal complaint with Ontario's Law Enforcement Complaint Agency (LECA) after investigators with the SIU showed her a video of her son's last moments.
Dzikewich felt the officers responsible for Schofield's care were 'neglectful' and 'discreditable.'
The SIU cleared the officers and guards of any wrongdoing in their April 2025 report.
LECA has not yet made a decision on Dzikewich's complaint.
Faye Dzikewich, Nathaniel Schofield's mother
Faye Dzikewich, Nathaniel Schofield's mother, posed for a photo on June 17, 2025. (Hannah Schmidt/CTV News)
Reflecting on tragedy
Dzikewich, meanwhile, continues to push for answers.
'Justice needs to be served,' she wrote to CTV News on Thursday. 'The OPP are fully trained in first aid. That, I feel, definitely would've saved him.'
Schofield, she added, is still 'dearly missed' by his six children, loved ones and friends.
Nathaniel Schofield
Nathaniel Schofield in an undated photograph. (Source: Faye Dzikewich)
'He was a very calm, loving father and son, with a smile that lit up a room. I'd like others in similar situations to contact me. I want to keep standing up for justice and changes going forward.'
Dzikewich said she will not stop until officials take accountability.
'The big blue wall of silence needs to be broken,' she wrote.
CTV News reached out to OPP on June 17 for comment on the LECA complaint. They said it would be inappropriate to comment on the matter until a decision was made.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Global News
2 hours ago
- Global News
Shoplifting on the rise in B.C., but one group says stores have given up reporting
A citizen group advocating for the reduction of street disorder in B.C. says federal crime statistics do not paint the whole picture of what is happening in the province. The agency attributed much of the overall decline in the crime severity index in 2024 to a six-per cent drop in non-violent crime, which includes such crimes as property and drug offences. Story continues below advertisement Save Our Streets in B.C. told Global News that stats show a decrease in certain crimes but that is because many people and businesses have given up reporting to authorities. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'It's driving some companies out of business, losing jobs in certain communities as a result,' Jess Ketchum, co-founder of Save Our Streets, said. It appears, however, that shoplifting is up, with a 66-per cent increase Canada-wide in incidents of shoplifting under $5,000. In B.C., Statistics Canada reports that in the last four years, shoplifting violations have increased nearly 80 per cent. 'We've had particular reports from the Kootenays that would indicate that people have just given up on reporting these crimes because they know the police just don't have the resources to do everything we're asking them to do,' Ketchum added. 2:14 City of Vancouver launches shoplifting and retail theft task force The head of London Drugs says shoplifting often leads to violence against staff. Story continues below advertisement 'Physical assault, death threats are routine, the production of needles, pipes, hammers, weapons that could cause permanent and life-altering harm to employees are routine,' Clint Mahlman, president and COO of London Drugs, said. Mahlman says that increased security measures for his downtown Vancouver stores have been making a difference, along with an extra police presence. B.C. stats show 20,486 incidents in 2020, and 36,851 incidents in 2024, which is an increase of 79.8 per cent, according to Statistics Canada. Last year only 4,040 people were charged and it is not known how many charges led to convictions.
Edmonton Journal
5 hours ago
- Edmonton Journal
'Public narrative was one-sided': Hockey Canada sex assault defence lawyers respond to verdict
Five former Canadian world junior hockey players were found not guilty in a high-profile sexual assault trial related to a 2018 incident in London, Ont. The case had sparked a national reckoning over hockey culture, and what is and what isn't considered consent. Here's how the lawyers for Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Callan Foote reacted to Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia's verdict, which was delivered in a London courtroom on Thursday. Article content Article content Article content Mr. McLeod will not be speaking to the media, and I understand the other players will not be speaking to the media. I will not be taking questions and other counsel who come to address you, they will not be taking any questions. Article content Mr. McLeod had confidence in the Justice process, and he welcomes Justice Carrocia's decision, confirming that he and his co defendants are not guilty of sexual assault. Justice Carrocia's carefully reasoned decision represents a resounding vindication for Mr. McLeod and for his co defendants. Justice Carrocia's found that the complainant's testimony was incredible and was unreliable. Article content For years, public perception was shaped by a one-sided narrative from a civil lawsuit that went unchallenged. In large part because hockey Canada settled the claim without first informing or consulting the players. The decision was made unilaterally, and the players were only told of the lawsuit and the settlement after the fact. Had they been consulted, they would have refused to settle, and they would have vigorously contested EM's allegations. Article content Article content That version of events dominated headlines and created a lasting and, a false, a false impression of guilt. It was only through this criminal trial that the allegations were fully and finally tested. The court compared the complainant's 2018 statements to the police, which rightly resulted in no charges with the later conflicting civil claim. Key elements of EM's story were contradicted by the evidence, exposing serious falsehood and leading to today's clear and just verdict of not guilty. Justice Carrocia rejected EM's claims of fear and her claims of non consent. That should be the takeaway from today's judgment. Article content Article content The damage to Mr. McLeod's reputation and his career has been significant. But today's decision begins to restore what was very unfairly taken away from him. Mr. McLeod is deeply grateful to his family, friends, his agent, and everybody who stood by him.
CTV News
7 hours ago
- CTV News
E-bike rider charged after being injured in crash with SUV
A green bicycle light informs cyclists that they can turn in one of several new changes to Pandora Street on day one of the city's new protected bike lanes. May 1, 2017. (CTV Vancouver Island) An electric bicycle (e-bike) rider was charged after being injured in a collision with an SUV in Kawartha Lakes early Wednesday morning. Emergency crews responded to the collision on Emily Park Road after 5 a.m. just south of Highway 7. Provincial police say both vehicles were travelling north when the SUV struck the e-bike. 'The investigation revealed that the e-bike was being operated without proper lighting at the time of the collision, 'OPP stated. The e-bike rider was taken to the hospital with what police described as non-life-threatening injuries. The rider, a 27-year-old from Seabright, was charged with having improper lighting on a motor assisted bicycle under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act. "The OPP reminds all road users of the importance of visibility, especially during low-light conditions," provincial police stated. 'Proper lighting and reflective gear are essential for the safety of all motorists and cyclists. Road safety is a shared responsibility."
