Sudden Death of Sudbury City Councillor Rocks Community

The Sudbury community was struck by a devastating blow upon the tragic discovery of the lifeless body of Michael Vagnini, the incumbent city councilor for Ward 2 since 2014. Vagnini, who had been missing since January 27th, was found on Tuesday afternoon near a camp located in the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation territory, as confirmed by the Sudbury Police Service.

Concerns arose when officers from the Nipissing West detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police were alerted to a residence on Ojibway Road around 2 p.m. on Tuesday after spotting Vagnini’s vehicle, ultimately leading to the discovery of his body in close proximity to his van.

Although the cause of death remains undetermined, no foul play is suspected by the Sudbury Police Service. In response to this tragic event, heightened police presence is expected in the area as the investigation unfolds.

Extensive search efforts were deployed in the Whitefish, Walden, Lively, and Naughton regions by multiple teams from the Sudbury Police Service and other collaborating entities in the days leading up to Vagnini’s discovery.

Vagnini was last seen at a gathering near Bell Park on the day of his disappearance. A participant from the gathering grew concerned about his well-being and chose to tail his vehicle to ensure he reached his destination safely, ultimately stopping when Vagnini turned onto McCharles Lake Road.

The Sudbury Police Service expressed gratitude to all involved in the extensive search, emphasizing the personal connection many volunteers had with Vagnini and their hopes for a positive resolution. The late councilor is survived by his partner, Janie Galipeau.

Public tributes poured in on social media platforms, with the Mayor of Greater Sudbury, Paul Lefebvre, and Ward 5 Councilor Mike Parent offering their condolences, highlighting the profound loss felt by the community.

Michael Vagnini, who first secured a seat on the city council in 2014 as one of the ten new faces, went on to win uncontested in 2018 and claimed 60% of the votes in 2022, highlighting his popularity and dedication to public service.

Reporting by Jonathan Migneault and Aya Dufour from CBC contributed to this coverage.