Inquest begins into five blastomycosis deaths in Constance Lake First Nation – CTV
October 16, 2025
An emotional coroner’s inquest is underway to investigate the deadly blastomycosis outbreak that claimed five lives in Constance Lake First Nation near Hearst, Ont.
From November 2021 to January 2022, blastomycosis spread through the community, which has approximately 750 residents.
Blastomycosis is an infection caused by the fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis, which grows most commonly in moist soil and decomposing wood and leaves, according to Public Health Ontario.
The disease affected more than 50 people and claimed the lives of Luke Moore, Lorraine Shaganash, Lizzie Sutherland, Mark Ferris and Douglas Taylor.
The inquest was initiated by Arthur Moore, Luke’s father and a former chief of the First Nation, who pushed for a public investigation into the deaths.
As the inquest began Wednesday, presiding officer Dr. Michael Wilson extended his condolences to the families, acknowledging the difficulty of the process.
