Deaths in prison, RCMP shooting among 6 new inquests called

A probe into the death of an inmate during a 2023 prison riot is among six inquests called by Manitoba’s chief medical examiner.

Manitoba’s chief medical examiner wants to know if anything could have been done to prevent the deaths of half a dozen people.

Dr. John Younes called for six separate inquests Thursday. The deaths include a man involved in a 50-person prison riot, a woman who died in a Winnipeg psychiatry ward, and an 18-year-old shot dead by a police officer.

Colton Patchinose

Colton Patchinose, 33, was attacked during a prison yard riot involving roughly 50 inmates on July 17, 2023, at Stony Mountain Institution. He was stabbed multiple times with improvised weapons.

Patchinose was pronounced dead at the scene. His death was ruled a homicide, with the cause being stab wounds to his chest.

At the time, RCMP told CTV News Winnipeg seven inmates were hospitalized due to the incident, including one inmate with a gunshot wound.

Talia Kent

Talia Kent, 24, died after being admitted to Health Sciences Centre’s psychiatric ward.

In late 2022, Kent attended the hospital’s emergency department “for apparent drug use and suicidal ideation,” Younes’s release said.

Younes said she was found unresponsive in the department’s bathroom, with signs of smoking Down. Down is the street term for fentanyl-based drugs that often contain other substances.

Kent was admitted to the psychiatric ward on Dec. 1, 2022.

“A nurse went into her room and found her lying face down with shallow breathing… attempts at resuscitation were unsuccessful and she passed on Dec. 2, 2022.”

Kent’s death was ruled accidental, with the cause being fentanyl and methamphetamine toxicity.

Connor Rae

Eighteen-year-old Connor Rae was shot and killed by an RCMP officer responding to a domestic disturbance call in Portage la Prairie on May 24, 2023.

According to a release on March 24, 2025, from the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU), police got a report of a female banging on a door saying her boyfriend was trying to kill her.

“In the process of being arrested, Mr. Rae produced a weapon and after an unsuccessful attempt to TASE him, an officer discharged his firearm, causing Mr. Rae to become unresponsive,” Younes’s release said.

Younes said Rae’s death was ruled a homicide; his cause of death was a chest and abdomen gunshot wound.

“Following due consideration of all the circumstances, the civilian director concluded the use of lethal force was authorized and justified by law. Therefore, the IIU investigation is completed, and the matter is now closed,” the IIU said in its release.

Sean Connors

Sean Connors, 41, was a recent inmate at Headingley Correctional Centre when he died, according to Younes.

Younes said Connors was assessed twice after an Aug. 19, 2023, teleconference about his upcoming charge.

Connors later reported taking meth, lay on the ground, and emergency medical services (EMS) were called.

“On EMS arrival, he was breathing and conscious but quickly declined, resuscitative efforts started, and he was transported to the hospital,” Younes’ release said.

Methamphetamine toxicity was ruled to be the immediate cause of death by the medical examiner’s office; however, the manner (natural, accidental, or otherwise) was undetermined.

Jane Walker

Prior to 23-year-old Jane Walker’s death, she was detained at RCMP’s Chemawawin detachment. Chemawawin Cree Nation is located in the south basin of Cedar Lake, north of Lake Winnipegosis.

She was found unresponsive in her single cell and died March 2, 2023.

“The immediate cause of death was determined to be cocaine toxicity. The manner of death was accidental,” Younes’s release said.

Younes said Walker was reportedly assaulted between two and three days prior but had not sought medical attention.

Mariuz Antoniewicz

Younes said Winnipeg Police Service officers found 45-year-old Mariuz Antoniewicz inside a stolen vehicle on July 5, 2023.

“He became combative and agitated then was tasered twice by police after which he became unresponsive, and CPR was initiated by police while being taken to St. Boniface Hospital,” his release said.

Drug paraphernalia was found inside of the stolen vehicle.

“The immediate cause of death was determined to be acute combined cocaine and methamphetamine intoxication. The manner of death was accidental.”

The IIU investigated the incident. Its April 24, 2024, report said no charges were recommended.

“In considering all the circumstances, I am satisfied that the use of force in this case was reasonable,” the IIU’s report said.

Younes said information about the date, time, and location of the inquests will be determined by the chief judge of the Provincial Court of Manitoba and released at a later date.