Who was Edward Lake? Dad who lost 3 children in fatal car crash in 2015 kills himself
This article contains information about deaths and suicide that could be traumatic for some readers. Discretion is advised.
Edward Lake, the father of three children who were killed by a drunk driver in a horrific car collision in a Greater Toronto Area almost seven years ago in 2015, was found dead at home on Monday, June 20. Lake was found dead by Peel Regional Police in Brampton, a city in Ontario, Canada, on Monday according to the Toronto Sun.
Peel Regional Police Const Heather Cannon confirmed to CP24 on Wednesday, June 22 evening that officers interacted with Lake at his home on Sunday. In an e-mail statement, Cannon said police were called to Lake's residence "to investigate an altercation." Police arrived and became involved in a separate "altercation" with Lake, resulting in a Taser being deployed, Cannon said. He was subsequently arrested and charged with one count of assault at the scene. Cannon said Lake was later taken to the hospital, where he was assessed and released.
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Sources said that Lake had been held under the Mental Health Act after the incident. A family member told Toronto Sun he “was taken to the hospital for evaluation and released.” Police were called to the home for the second time in 24 hours by his wife, Jennifer Neville-Lake—who had expressed concern over his actions in the backyard.
"Officers notified Victim Services of the incident, and Mr Lake was also provided the contact information," Cannon added. "Peel Regional Police had no further interaction with Mr Lake once he was transported to the hospital." A day after the incident, Lake was reported dead. Multiple media reports said he died by suicide. York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween confirmed the news in a message posted to social media Monday, June 20 night.
“This evening I was very saddened to learn of the tragic death of Ed Lake. The losses to the Neville-Lake family are heart wrenching,” MacSween wrote. “YRP stands with our friend Jennifer and members of both families. May you find strength in the support of your community,” he added.
This evening I was very saddened to learn of the tragic death of Ed Lake.
— Chief Jim MacSween (@chiefmacsween) June 20, 2022
The losses to the Neville-Lake family are heart wrenching.
YRP stands with our friend Jennifer and members of both families. May you find strength in the support of your community.
His wife confirmed his death in a post on Twitter late on Monday, June 20. “The eyes he shared with Harry are forever closed. Daniel’s curls will never shine in the sunlight again. I will never see Milly’s shy smile creep across his lips anymore. My children’s father, Edward Lake, has joined our kids so they can play together, forever. Mahal kita, Edward,” she wrote.
The eyes he shared with Harry are forever closed
— Jenn Neville-Lake (@isda1979) June 21, 2022
Daniel's curls will never shine in the sunlight again
I will never see Milly's shy smile creep across his lips anymore
My children's father, Edward Lake, has joined our kids so they can play together, forever.
Mahal kita, Edward. pic.twitter.com/4nHREvd9Xe
On Sunday, June 19, Neville-Lake shared a photo of the children’s gravesite on social media. “Father’s Day 2022. This shouldn’t be real. It can’t be,” she wrote.
Father's Day 2022
— Jenn Neville-Lake (@isda1979) June 20, 2022
This shouldn't be real
It can't be pic.twitter.com/ODeHE12cJF
The couple was left heartbroken following the September 2015 crash that took the lives of their three children, nine-year-old Daniel, five-year-old Harrison, and two-year-old Milly, along with their 65-year-old maternal grandfather Gary Neville. They were killed by a drunk driver named Marco Muzzo, who sped through a stop sign and collided with their vehicle in Vaughan. Muzzo was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2016. He was granted full parole in February 2021.
"I am angry that my children never got the chance to grow up," Lake said at Muzzo's parole hearing. "I wake up every day crying. It's scary when you want a hug from your children, and they aren't there." Neville-Lake also shared her heartbreak on the day Muzzo was granted his full release.
“His original sentence was 10 years. In 2016 the drunken #killer of all my children & my dad, the drunk who seriously harmed my grandma & mom, began his reduced 9 Yr and 4-month sentence. His mandatory release after serving 2/3 of his reduced sentence is today, Saturday, June 18, 2022. He was released on FULL parole Feb 9, 2021. My multiple life sentences will never end", she wrote.