Detention order issued for killer found naked and screaming at Ontario lake

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He was hospitalized at CAMH following the NCR verdict from January 2021 until his discharge to community living in November 2023.

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By the spring of 2023, his “behaviour, participation, and engagement were described as ‘outstanding,’” said the decision.

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His transition to community living “went very well,” it said.

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“He attended his appointments with the Hospital’s Forensic Outpatient Service, continued to take his oral antipsychotic medication on his own, submitted consistently negative urine drug screen samples and displayed no indications of returning to cannabis or other substance use, and remained free of symptoms of his illness.”

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The hospital recommended a conditional discharge as “necessary and appropriate” at a hearing this past February.

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Nowaczek-Said was living with his father, and “considering moving in with his fiancée at some point,” said the decision.

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Nowaczek-Said, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder “in sustained remission,” reported to his transitional case manager every two weeks.

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Visits with his psychiatrist were reduced to once every two months “due to his continued stability.”

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But during a meeting with his handlers this past May, “he presented with notable changes in his mental state from the meeting’s outset,” said the decision.

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“He was loud, restless, talkative, and overinclusive. He repeatedly interrupted and dominated the interview, and there was evidence of underlying irritability when challenged.”

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When his handlers pointed out the change, Nowaczek-Said “became increasingly defensive,” said the decision. “He insisted that to the contrary, he felt more like himself than he had in a long time and that he was becoming more like the version of himself that he was before he became ill.”

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On June 2, Nowaczek-Said’s psychiatrist got test results back indicating his patient had not taken his antipsychotic medication “for several days.”

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Nowaczek-Said “was adamant that he had been compliant,” said the decision.

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In a lengthy phone conversation with his psychiatrist, Nowaczek-Said reported that his father had recently been diagnosed with cancer and things weren’t going smoothly with his fiancée.

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On June 3, after the call with his psychiatrist, Nowaczek-Said “was apprehended by the police at Orr Lake in Simcoe County and brought, initially, to the Georgian Bay Hospital.”

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The panel heard Nowaczek–Said had been “roaming the area around Orr Lake while nude, repeatedly going in and out of the water, and screaming about God, including that he was God.”

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He was placed in “mechanical restraints” at some point “due to his level of agitation.”

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When the restraints were removed, Nowaczek–Said punched a camera.

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“Multiple staff members and security personnel were required to contain him during what is recorded as a ‘very agitated outburst.’ Mr. Nowaczek-Said was placed back in mechanical restraints and given two injections. A third medication was later administered when the first two medications did not settle him.”

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On June 4, he was moved to the Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care but discharged on June 8 after contesting his admission.

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“He declined to remain in hospital longer or to further optimize his medication.”

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Nowaczek-Said “clearly represents a significant threat to the safety of the public,” said the ORB decision.

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“The evidence compels a finding that absent the board’s oversight, there is a real risk that he would engage in criminal conduct that would result in serious physical and/or psychological harm.”