No foul play in cadet's death: coroner

Police have ruled out foul play and will not be laying any criminal charges in the mysterious death of a cadet from the Royal Military College in Kingston, says a provincial coroner.

Dr. Jim Cairns, Ontario's deputy chief coroner, says the Ontario Provincial Police have concluded their lengthy investigation into the death of Joe Grozelle, 21, who disappeared from his dormitory at the college in October 2003.

Grozelle's body was later found floating in a river near the city's downtown.

Cairns says he can't discuss details of the case until after a meeting is held with the Grozelle's family next month.

"All I can say is we're meeting with the family, and police are not laying any charges. That's all I'll say. We're meeting with the family to explain to them the investigation in detail," he said.

"It's only appropriate that the results be given to the family first."

It's largely because of the family that the investigation has continued for more than two years. When Grozelle's body was found, in November 2003, there were questions about a possible suicide.

But Grozelle's father argued that his son, a top student at RMC, would never have taken his own life.

Last year, at the family's insistence, authorities exhumed Grozelle's body and conducted a second autopsy.

Cairns will only say that process was helpful.

"There were many answers that assisted the investigation as a result of the exhumation," he said. "Before any information is given, we have to sit down with the family."

Cairns says officials plan to meet Grozelle's family during the week of Dec. 14.