Boy dies after suspected fall from balcony

Hamilton police continue to investigate 6-year-old boy’s death in Corktown

The death of a 6-year-old boy outside the apartment building where he lived with his family has shocked and saddened his central Hamilton community.

The boy was found on the concrete ground in front of the building at 50 Young St., known as the Villa Marie II apartment building in Corktown, around 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Police have not spoken with any witnesses who directly saw the boy fall, so they cannot say if he fell from a balcony. Detectives are piecing together what happened and are asking anyone with information to come forward.

There were family members home at the time of his death, said Const. Jerome Stewart.

An autopsy was scheduled for Thursday, where police hope to get more clarity on the cause of death.

Merylyn Lungayan lives on the ground-floor apartment below the family and says she came home to find the boy’s body, covered by a tarp, still laying on the concrete outside her balcony.

“It’s just so sad ... so scary,” she said.

Others in the community recalled seeing the family, with small children, walking in the neighbourhood.

“It’s tragic,” said Lorne Stephenson, in corporate affairs at Q-Residential, the management company that oversees the four Villa Marie apartments in Hamilton bound by Young, John, and Hughson Sts., as well as Forest Ave.

The company has offered assistance, he said, adding there were no issues with the building.

“Everything is up-to-date,” he said of the balconies and other key infrastructure such as stairs and elevators.

The balcony appears blackened by an earlier fire, with a window covered by plastic.

According to the Hamilton Fire Department there was a fire on the sixth floor balcony May 30. It was caused by careless disposal of smoking material and included minor extension into the apartment unit.

On Wednesday night forensic investigators were on scene. On Thursday two police officers sat outside the apartment door.

The boy’s death is being investigated by the Central Criminal Investigation Division at 905-546-4861.

“It’s just so sad ... so scary.”

MERYLYN LUNGAYAN NEIGHBOUR