Standing Hearing Set for Inquest into Death of Talia Kent

Press Release

June 29, 2026

A standing hearing will take place to determine who may participate in the upcoming inquest into the death of Talia Kent, 38, of Winnipeg.

The circumstances of the death are as follows:

On Nov. 30, 2022, at approximately 2:20 p.m., Kent was admitted to the emergency department at Health Sciences Centre (HSC) Winnipeg with active suicidal ideation. Later, she was found unresponsive in the ER bathroom having apparently smoked down. Down is a street drug consisting of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl, also referred to as pink or purple down.

On Dec. 1, 2022, at approximately 4:45 p.m., Kent was admitted to the HSC psychiatry ward. Later, a nurse went into her room and found her lying face down with shallow breathing. A code blue was called, and resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.

On Dec. 2, 2022, at 9:04 p.m., Kent was pronounced deceased.

On Dec. 3, 2022, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner was notified of Kent’s death, after which an autopsy was authorized.

On Dec. 8, 2022, at 9:40 a.m., an autopsy was performed. The cause of death was determined to be fentanyl and methamphetamine toxicity. The manner of death was accidental.

Under the Fatality Inquiries Act, an inquest has been called by the chief medical examiner. Inquests explore the circumstances and events leading to deaths to determine what, if anything, might be done to prevent similar deaths in the future.

Before the inquest begins, the judge will decide who may participate in the process and question witnesses. Individuals and groups may apply for standing to participate in the inquest. Those interested in applying for standing should contact Noah Globerman, inquest counsel, at 204-945-2852 or noah.globerman@gov.mb.ca by Aug. 21.

The standing hearing will be held on Sept. 4 at 1 p.m. in courtroom 402 at the Manitoba Law Courts Building, 408 York Ave., Winnipeg.

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For more information:

• Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: mgi@gov.mb.ca or 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
• Media requests for general information, contact Communications and Engagement: newsroom@gov.mb.ca.
• Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Cabinet Communications: cabcom@manitoba.ca.

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