Findings of Heather Winterstein’s Death Released – Ontario Chronicle
April 23, 2026
A jury has determined that the death of Heather Winterstein, an Indigenous woman, was accidental and resulted from septic shock. Her passing occurred in a St. Catharines, Ont., hospital on December 10, 2021.
The 24-year-old collapsed in the emergency department after seeking help over two days before her death during urgent efforts to save her life. Her family had hoped for a homicide ruling from the jury; however, Niagara Health, which oversees the hospital, and Niagara’s paramedic service disagreed with that view.
