Standing Hearing for Inquest into Deaths of Patrick Eaglestick, Farron Rowan, Melvis Owen, Adrian Young and Curt Harper

Press Release

April 13, 2026

A standing hearing will take place to determine who can participate in the upcoming inquest into the deaths of:

• Patrick Eaglestick of Stony Mountain (date of birth Nov. 9, 1994);
• Farron Rowan of Stony Mountain (date of birth Dec. 21, 1987);
• Melvis Owen of Stony Mountain (date of birth March 16, 1982);
• Adrian Young of Stony Mountain (date of birth Aug. 22, 1980); and
• Curt Harper of Stony Mountain (date of birth Nov. 13, 1983).

The circumstances of death were as follows:

• On March 23, 2020, Eaglestick, an inmate at Stony Mountain Institution, was found hanging from the upper bars of his cell doors with a ligature made from bedsheet material tied around his neck. CPR was performed and he was transported to Health Sciences Centre (HSC) Winnipeg with a pulse. He was removed from life support and pronounced deceased on March 24, 2020.
• On April 25, 2020, Rowan, an inmate at Stony Mountain Institution, was found hanging from the window bars of his cell with a braided bedsheet around his neck. Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful and he was pronounced deceased by paramedics on April 26, 2020.
• On Dec. 12, 2020, Owen, an inmate at Stony Mountain institution, was found hanging in his cell with a ligature tied around his neck. CPR was performed by correctional officers and paramedics. He was transported to HSC Winnipeg with a pulse but died on Dec. 15, 2020.
• On March 7, 2020, Young, an inmate at Stony Mountain Institution, was found hanging in his cell. All efforts at resuscitation were unsuccessful.
• On May 17, 2020, Harper, an inmate at Stony Mountain Institution, was found hanging in his cell with a ligature made from a bedsheet around his neck. Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful and he was pronounced deceased that same day.

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 Aaron Braun, inquest counsel, at (204) 982-4414 or abraun@sccmlaw.ca by May 20, 2026.

The standing hearing will be held at 10 a.m. on June 3, 2026, in courtroom 402 at the Manitoba Law Courts Complex, 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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