Inmate guilty of 1988 murder of Halifax woman dies at Dorchester Penitentiary: CSC

Dorchester Penitentiary in New Brunswick. (Derek Haggett/CTV Atlantic)

An inmate at the Dorchester Penitentiary in New Brunswick has died while in custody, according to Correctional Service Canada (CSC).

CSC says 70-year-old Melvin Glen Stanton died on Tuesday. He had been serving a life sentence since March 16, 1971.

Stanton’s next of kin has been notified, according to the CSC.

CSC says a coroner has been notified of the death, which is policy for all cases involving the death of an inmate.

According to a document from CSC, Stanton escaped from a community corrections centre in Toronto in 1988 and killed 25-year-old Tema Conter, who was born and raised in Halifax.

The Tema Conter Foundation was established in her memory following her death. The organization supports mental health and provides resources for workplaces, especially for first responders and frontline workers.

The foundation’s CEO says it remains committed to preserving Tema’s memory through “meaningful and impactful action.”

“Central to this mission is our ongoing work to provide mental health education for first responders and frontline workers—those who face immense challenges in the line of duty every day," Cheryl Matthews said in an email to CTV Atlantic.

“By advancing this work, we honour Tema’s legacy in a way that is both purposeful and transformative—ensuring that her memory lives on through positive change and continued care for others."

Dr. Howard Conter, Tema’s brother, is a founding member of the foundation along with his wife, Karen.

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