Winnipeg news: a standing hearing is set for January 14, 2027 in the inquest into the death of Tiana Obirek, 25, of Winnipeg, who died at the Winnipeg Remand Centre in October 2023, and the judge will first decide who gets to take part.
By Maplestime News Desk | Winnipeg, Manitoba | November 13, 2026
Sources: Province of Manitoba | Last updated: November 13, 2026
Key Takeaways
- A standing hearing will be held Jan. 14, 2027 at 9 a.m. in courtroom 402 at the Manitoba Law Courts Complex, 408 York Ave., Winnipeg.
- Obirek, 25, of Winnipeg, died Oct. 21, 2023 at the Winnipeg Remand Centre. The immediate cause of death was the toxic effects of methamphetamine, para-fluorofentanyl and bromazepam.
- She was taken to the Remand Centre Oct. 19, 2023. On Oct. 21 she had an episode of vomiting, was placed on continuous video at 4:30 a.m. with checks every 30 minutes, and was found unresponsive during a check at 6:03 p.m. Resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.
- People and groups who want standing to take part in the inquest must contact inquest counsel Melanie Pass at [email protected] by Dec. 31.
- The chief medical examiner called the inquest under the Fatality Inquiries Act.
What Happened at the Winnipeg Remand Centre
Obirek was taken to the Winnipeg Remand Centre on Oct. 19, 2023. Two days later, on Oct. 21, she had an episode of vomiting and staff placed her on continuous video at 4:30 a.m., with checks every 30 minutes. During one of those checks, at 6:03 p.m., she was noted to have become unresponsive. All attempts at resuscitation were unsuccessful and she was pronounced deceased that day. The immediate cause of death was determined to be the toxic effects of methamphetamine, para-fluorofentanyl and bromazepam.
What a Standing Hearing Decides
An inquest does not decide blame. Under the Fatality Inquiries Act, the chief medical examiner called this inquest so the circumstances and events leading to Obirek’s death can be examined in public, with the aim of finding out what, if anything, might be done to prevent similar deaths in the future. Before the inquest itself begins, a judge will decide who may participate in the process and question witnesses. That is what the Jan. 14, 2027 standing hearing is for.
How to Apply for Standing
Individuals and groups who want to take part in the inquest should contact inquest counsel Melanie Pass at [email protected] by Dec. 31. The standing hearing will be held Jan. 14, 2027 at 9 a.m. in courtroom 402 at the Manitoba Law Courts Complex, 408 York Ave., Winnipeg.
Maplestime will provide updates from the Tiana Obirek inquest as announcements are made.
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