Date set for coroner’s inquest for Indigenous woman who died in St. Catharines hospital

A date has been announced for a coroner’s inquest into the death of an Indigenous woman after she died in a hospital emergency room in St. Catharines in 2021.

Heather Ashley Winterstein, who was 24-years-old, went to the ER with severe back pain on Dec. 9.

Her mother told CHCH News that she was given Tylenol and sent home. The following day, Winterstein returned to the hospital with more pain and died there.

The inquest is set to begin Monday at 9:30 a.m., with Dr. David Eden as the presiding officer. Julian Roy, Christina Varrette and Vivian Sim will be the inquest counsel.

The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding Winterstein’s death. The jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths.

The inquest is expected to last 13 days and hear from around 22 witnesses.

It will be conducted by video conference, with members of the public able to view the proceedings online.

READ MORE: Inquest called into Indigenous woman’s death at St. Catharines Hospital in 2021