Questions remain after the discovery of the body of 68-year-old Frederick Sutherland near the London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) on Thursday.
London police confirmed Friday that the body - found in a woodlot north of Commissioners Road East, to the east of LHSC and west of the CN Rail tracks - was that of the Wallaceburg man.
The body was found after a day-long search that involved local police and fire crews as well as the OPP, London Search and Rescue, LHSC security and members of the London Police Auxiliary Unit.
Sutherland was being treated for cancer at Victoria Hospital when he left the facility without being discharged around 1 a.m. Monday. On Tuesday afternoon, police put out a call to the public for assistance in locating the man, amid concerns from family members.
An autopsy was performed Friday and London police Const. Ken Steeves says, "Every death is investigated by our Major Crime investigators, in this case there is no fould play suspected."
Murray Glendining, president and CEO of LHSC, has released a statement offering condolences to Sutherland's family during this difficult time.
It reads, in part, "We have been working with the family and London Police since Mr. Sutherland left the hospital, and had sincerely hoped there would be a different outcome to this situation. We will continue to offer support to Mr. Sutherland's family in the coming days. We would like to thank the London Police Service for their assistance throughout this challenging situation"
Still, there are questions being raised about how and why Sutherland left the hospital and why it took days before a large-scale search began.
His stepson, Tom Fisher, says, "Nobody, nobody deserves to die that way...When someone is ill, there has to be a check and balance. Phone the family member who brought him in."
But Laurie Gould at LHSC says patients have the right to leave without telling anyone, even if it's recommended that they stay until they're released.
"We have a camera image where he left the hospital on his own accord and did not notify his physician or staff."
Still, when staff noticed he was missing the hospital followed procedure, conducting a code yellow search of the building and then notifying police.
But Fisher says changes are needed, "They have to investigate their policies and procedures. This should never happen. When you admit sombody in hospital you are entrusting them to care for your family member, your loved one."
Timeline of events:
- Monday, Sept. 7, 12:55 a.m. - Sutherland leaves LHSC
- Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2:37 p.m. - police notify media of missing man
- Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2:33 p.m. - police release image from surveillance video
- Thursday, Sept. 10, 4:40 p.m. - remains discovered near LHSC
- Friday, Sept. 11, 1:28 p.m. - remains confirmed as Sutherland