December 22, 2025
Standing Hearing for Inquest into Death of Jesse Thomas
A standing hearing will take place to determine who can participate in the upcoming inquest into the death of Jesse Thomas, 40, of Stony Mountain.
The circumstances of Thomas’ death were as follows: on Nov. 19, 2021, Thomas, an inmate at Stony Mountain Institution, was found unresponsive and alone in his locked cell approximately 30 minutes after he was observed to be asleep during routine rounds. All efforts at resuscitation were unsuccessful.
Under the Fatality Inquiries Act, an inquest has been called by the chief medical examiner. Inquests explore the circumstances and events leading to deaths for the purpose of finding out what, if anything, might be done to prevent similar deaths in the future.
Before the inquest begins, the judge will decide who can participate in the process and question witnesses. Individuals and groups may make an application to be granted standing and participate in the inquest. Those interested in applying for standing should contact Kerry UnRuh, inquest counsel, at 204-949-1710 or kunruh@dfsku.com by Jan. 28, 2026.
The standing hearing will be held on Feb. 10, 2026, at 2 p.m. in courtroom 402 at the Manitoba Law Courts Complex, 408 York Ave., Winnipeg.
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