Two inquests called over 2022 correctional centre deaths

Manitoba’s chief medical examiner has called provincial court inquests into two deaths in 2022 in correctional centres in the province.

Ryan Nepinak, 37, was found hanging in the Winnipeg Remand Centre on Jan. 28, 2022 and pronounced dead the next day at St. Boniface Hospital. His death was ruled a suicide. The medical examiner’s media release Monday marks the first time Nepinak’s name has been made public by provincial officials.

Denis Mutz, 35, was found unresponsive in his cell at Stony Mountain federal prison on Aug. 16, 2022 and soon pronounced dead. Officials found drug paraphernalia in his cell and the medical examiner deemed his death an accidental overdose of carfentanil, fentanyl and methamphetamine.

The dates of the two inquests, which are meant to examine the circumstances of the deaths and determine what can be done to prevent similar deaths in the future, will be decided at a later date.