The parents of an Ottawa man who died while at school in Toronto in 2001 are suing Toronto police over their investigation, claiming they mishandled evidence that could have proven he didn't kill himself.

John Kevin Connelly, 22, was a third-year pharmacy student at the University of Toronto whose body was found outside his Walmer Road apartment building Dec. 9, 2001.

John Kevin Connelly with his older sister, Sarah. (the fifth estate/CBC)

In their statement of claim, John and Gloria Connelly said police concluded their son killed himself by jumping off the building's roof after leaving a suicide note on his desk because he was upset over his breakup with his fiancée​.

Toronto police confirmed Tuesday they have been served with the lawsuit and are putting forward a statement of defence.

The family's main points

The Connellys claim police "consistently obstructed and hindered the death investigation by destroying, ignoring, changing and replacing death scene evidence," including:

Initially saying John Connelly's body was found 10 metres from his apartment building, supporting the theory he took a running jump, then years later confirming he was found five metres away.

Failing to take photos of a bloody pillow case in his apartment until several months after his death, then losing or misplacing the bedding.

Failing to explain adequately how Connelly sustained "a cluster of large bruises" on his forehead even though their theory was that he'd landed on his feet and fallen backward.

Failing to investigate a neighbour's report of two "miserable looking" men using keys to get into Connelly's apartment in the days before he died.

Paramedics found pulse

The Connellys are also claiming police could have contributed to their son's death because officers reported finding him without vital signs, only to have paramedics find a pulse 12 to 13 minutes later.

"In the past 15 years we've appealed to at least 10 provincial oversight bodies, without success. So the responsibility of police oversight has fallen on our shoulders," the Connellys said in a statement.

"We're suing the police because this is a matter of accountability and public safety that affects all of us."

The Connellys are suing the Toronto Police Services Board for $5 million for negligence, $5 million for wrongful death, $2 million in special damages and punitive and/or aggravated damages of $500,000, plus costs.

They also want Toronto police to admit they should have conducted a homicide investigation at the time and to begin one now.