Inquest jury rules Heather Winterstein’s death as accidental – PelhamToday.ca
Apr 23, 2026
“We know that systemic racism exists in healthcare, and addressing it is essential to improving safety, trust and outcomes for Indigenous patients and their families,” says Niagara Health President and CEO Lynn Guerriero
The death of 24-year-old Heather Winterstein was accidental and caused by septic shock and “sepsis with delayed treatment,” a coroner’s inquest jury has determined.
The inquest into the death of the Indigenous St. Catharines woman began March 30 and has now concluded, resulting in 68 recommendations given to a number of parties such as Niagara Health, Niagara EMS, the Ontario Ministry of Health, Niagara Regional Police, and the Ontario College of Nurses.
