Recommendation Monitoring of the Inquest into the Death of Russell Andrew Spence

2025-01-23

Summary

Russell Spence was the subject of a well-being call made to Winnipeg Police Services at the
end of the day on October 11, 2016 at his request. On their arrival, police arrested Mr.
Spence and charged him with two counts of possessing a weapon. He was transported to the
Winnipeg Police Headquarters and later transferred to the Remand Centre. Throughout this
process he exhibited signs of being under the influence of drugs, and he indicated that he
had consumed methamphetamine and alcohol earlier in the day. At the Remand Centre, Mr.
Spence was directed into the shower and search room, where he became involved in a physical
struggle with guards. During this time he was reportedly struck in the torso multiple times,
had a spit mask applied, and at least one officer was on top of Mr. Spence’s upper
back/heart region. Four minutes after this struggle began, he suddenly became unresponsive.
Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful at the scene and at the Health Sciences Centre,
where Mr. Spence was declared deceased on October 12, 2016. Autopsy results showed a high
level of methamphetamine in Mr. Spence’s blood, from which toxic effects would be expected,
as well as an increased risk due to a slightly enlarged heart and the detrimental effects of
the physical altercation.

Provincial Court of Manitoba Inquest Report – Spence, Russell Andrew – April 24, 2020