In a statement, the Hawkesbury detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said officers were called to the Hawkesbury and District General Hospital on Thursday night to investigate a « number of suspicious deaths ». 

Dr. Brian Nadler, 35, appeared in court on Friday afternoon charged with one count of first-degree murder. He is next due to appear in court on April 6. Dr. Nadler, from Dollard-Des-Ormeaux in Quebec, was remanded in custody following the appearance.

His lawyer, Ottawa-based Alan Brass said Dr. Nadler maintained his innocence. He was listed with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario as a doctor at HGH. According to the college, which is the regulatory body for the province’s medical doctors, he has been registered as an active member since February 4, 2020.  

The OPP said the investigation was continuing « into the circumstances surrounding other recent suspicious deaths at the hospital ». “There is no risk to public or patient safety and the routine activity at the hospital will not be affected by the investigation,” the statement said. 

The Hawkesbury OPP Crime Unit was leading the investigation with help from the OPP Forensic Identification Services Unit.

In a statement released late Friday, HGH said all of Dr. Nadler’s privileges at the hospital had been revoked. Hospital administrators were working with the OPP and had spoken to the families involved. Staff were offered support and post-trauma counselling.

« We want to reassure our patients, their families and the community at large that the hospital campus is a safe place. » the hospital statement said. « We continue to offer our programs in a safe and professional environment. »

Anyone with information about the incident was asked to call the Hawkesbury OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at crimestoppers.ca.