The Toronto Star's public editor Kathy English defended the newspaper's story on the five-year anniversary of Ed Mirvish's death.

Torontoist.com explained in a 2007 article on Mirvish's death that Mirvish was a "philanthropic businessman" who "was a crucial part of Toronto's reputation as a world-renowned theatre centre."

Some readers complained that the Star's report, which noted that Mirvish's grave still doesn't have a "permanent headstone," was "intrusive and insensitive" and "crossed the line here between public interest and private grief," English explained, writing:

"I understand this reaction and agree that grief is a private emotion. But I don’t think this story was out of line."

English noted that Mirvish "was a public figure," the Star's reporter interviewed Mirvish's son about the gravesite, and that his gravesite might be of "enduring interest" for some readers.