Guelph mother still waiting to find out how her son died at Millhaven Institution

A Guelph woman wants to know why no one has been charged for the death of her son at an Ontario prison. CTV’s Krista Simpson has her story.

A Guelph woman is still waiting for answers about the death of her 23-year-old son while he was serving time behind bars.

Brody Robinson was found without vital signs in his cell at Millhaven Institution, a maximum-security prison in Bath, Ont., on the evening of Oct. 29, 2024. Ontario Provincial Police investigated his death and determined it was the result of foul play. A year has passed but no charges have been laid.

Robinson’s mother said she still doesn’t know what happened to her son.“

Absolutely nothing. They haven’t told me nothing,” Kelly Cox told CTV News. “I call the Kingston Victim Services every Monday, I text her and she always responds back that there’s no news. It’s still ongoing investigation. It’s frustrating.”

She wonders why no one has been charged.

“There should be charges,” Cox insisted. “Somebody should be [held] responsible for my son’s death and how come nobody’s been charged? I don’t get it.”

Robinson was serving a four-year sentence for possessing drugs for the purpose of trafficking.

For Cox, the pain is magnified knowing he should have been walking out of prison soon.

“He was supposed to be coming home in January. That’s three months from now. And now he’s not.”

Correctional Service of Canada directed inquiries about the investigation to Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). An OPP spokesperson told CTV News “this remains an active and ongoing investigation.”

Kristian Bonn, a lawyer with the Bonn Law office in Belleville, has been helping Cox in her search for answers. She called the lack of information troubling.

“It seems unusual that after a year, they’re still not in position to lay any charges,” Bonn said. “They would certainly have information about what occurred. I would expect that there’s video surveillance of what occurred -- I’d be very surprised if they didn’t. It is surprising that they haven’t laid charges.”

Bonn questioned why Cox wasn’t told anything. While OPP do not want to compromise an ongoing investigation, some details, she argued, could be shared with Robinson’s family.

“At the very least, to explain how her child died and give her some information. I think that’s important that that they provide that to her. And I don’t think giving that information would compromise any investigation.”

Bonn also said that, as more time passes, the concerns continue to grow.

“One of the issues in any legal action is obviously memories fade over time,” she explained. “It does potentially pose a problem going forward if there is a significant delay.”

Cox remembers her son as someone who was funny, happy-go-lucky and caring, and who left an impression on anyone he met.

“If you met Brody, you’d always remember him by something. Whether he made a joke or he did something funny.”

Cox said she would continue to push for answers.

“I’m not going to go away. I’m not going to stop. I just want answers. I want justice for Brody.”