Calgary's Casey MacDonald dies awaiting Kenora court date in sex crime case

A Calgary, Alta. man facing sex-related offences that allegedly took place in northern Ontario First Nations communities has died, Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service is reporting.

51 year-old Casey Ignatious MacDonald, who was to appear in a Kenora court on March 11, died on Feb. 9 from health-related issues, police said.

"Anyone affected by this issue, whether you have reported to the police or not, is urged to either continue or to seek counselling," police stated in a news release issued Wednesday.

"The NAPS Crime Unit is continuing to notify victims of this unforeseen circumstance."

MacDonald was arrested for sexual-related offences against male youths between 2010 and 2012 in Kasabonika Lake First Nation and Sandy Lake First Nation.

The charges included sexual interference with a person under the age of 16 years, sexual assault, forcible confinement, and sexual exploitation.