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Police concluded Connelly – who was in the midst of his exams – killed himself after breaking up with his fiancée and the discovery of what police believed to be a suicide note in his apartment.

But his family said Connelly had no history of mental health problems or suicidal ideation. They allege the investigation was the “most perfunctory and superficial” possible – and ignored key evidence that suggested something much more sinister may have happened to their son.

The lawsuit follows unsuccessful appeals by the family to at least 10 separate provincial oversight bodies for a new investigation or a coroner’s inquest.

Connelly’s father, Dr. John Connelly, said he now hopes to hold the Toronto police accountable in civil court, since the handling of his son’s case or others like it are a matter of public safety.

“The responsibility of oversight really fell on our shoulders ,” he said.

Connelly said they decided to sue after candid meetings with senior Toronto police officers in 2015 and earlier this year revealed the “full extent” of what the family alleges was a negligent investigation. The police only agreed to meet with them because they believed the limitation period for a civil lawsuit had expired, the family alleges.

According to the Connellys, police admitted during those meetings that the measurement in the initial police reports that placed their son’s body 35 feet from the building were incorrect, and that it was actually only a little more than 17 feet.