{"url":"https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/winterstein-inquest-day-6/article_cc10487b-d0e6-5857-bbee-c3181eea799c.html","title":"Paramedic: Winterstein death still a struggle","domain":"stcatharinesstandard.ca","imageUrl":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/6520099/pexels-photo-6520099.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940","pexelsSearchTerm":"paramedic transporting patient","category":"Other","language":"en","slug":"0abca457","id":"0abca457-5d92-40db-9616-ea3747186b3e","description":"Paramedic Brandon St. Angelo testified on Day 6 of the inquest into Heather Winterstein's death about transporting her on December 10, 2021.[[1]](https://w","summary":"## TL;DR\n- Paramedic Brandon St. Angelo testified on Day 6 of the inquest into Heather Winterstein's death about transporting her on December 10, 2021.[[1]](https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/winterstein-inquest-day-6/article_cc10487b-d0e6-5857-bbee-c3181eea799c.html)[[2]](https://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/news/niagara-region/winterstein-inquest-day-6/article_83014aad-51d9-5486-984c-6b930e7abb20.html)\n- Heather was headed to Fort Erie urgent care until worsening vital signs prompted a switch to St. Catharines emergency, unknown to her father.[[1]](https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/winterstein-inquest-day-6/article_cc10487b-d0e6-5857-bbee-c3181eea799c.html)\n- St. Angelo said her death remains a struggle, as he second-guesses decisions that morning.[[1]](https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/winterstein-inquest-day-6/article_cc10487b-d0e6-5857-bbee-c3181eea799c.html)\n\n## The story at a glance\nA paramedic testified at the coroner's inquest into the 2021 death of **Heather Winterstein**, a 24-year-old Indigenous woman from St. Catharines who died of sepsis at the hospital. **Brandon St. Angelo** of Niagara Emergency Medical Services described the morning transport on December 10 after her initial hospital discharge the day before. The article covers this Day 6 testimony as the inquest, which began March 30, 2026, examines her care. Winterstein collapsed in the emergency waiting room after paramedics brought her in.[[1]](https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/winterstein-inquest-day-6/article_cc10487b-d0e6-5857-bbee-c3181eea799c.html)\n\n## Key points\n- **Brandon St. Angelo**, an advanced care paramedic, responded to a call and took Winterstein to hospital, initially planning urgent care in **Fort Erie**.[[1]](https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/winterstein-inquest-day-6/article_cc10487b-d0e6-5857-bbee-c3181eea799c.html)\n- Her vital signs worsened en route, leading paramedics to divert to **St. Catharines hospital** emergency department instead.[[1]](https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/winterstein-inquest-day-6/article_cc10487b-d0e6-5857-bbee-c3181eea799c.html)\n- Winterstein's father did not know about the destination switch.[[1]](https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/winterstein-inquest-day-6/article_cc10487b-d0e6-5857-bbee-c3181eea799c.html)\n- St. Angelo said the case is still \"a struggle for me,\" as he second-guesses his decisions and wonders if the outcome could have changed.[[1]](https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/winterstein-inquest-day-6/article_cc10487b-d0e6-5857-bbee-c3181eea799c.html)\n- Earlier inquest evidence suggested more frequent vital checks and closer monitoring in the emergency department may have altered events.[[1]](https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/winterstein-inquest-day-6/article_cc10487b-d0e6-5857-bbee-c3181eea799c.html)\n- Winterstein, after being seen and discharged the prior day for back pain, collapsed in the waiting room and died of sepsis from bacterial infection.[[3]](https://www.facebook.com/ChiefsofOntario/posts/content-warning-this-release-discusses-the-death-of-a-first-nation-woman-and-ref/1240921384879383)\n\n## Details and context\nThe inquest, presided by coroner **Dr. David Eden**, is probing the circumstances around Winterstein's death on **December 10, 2021**, at what is now **Marotta Family Hospital** (formerly St. Catharines General). She had sought care the day before for severe back pain, was discharged with Tylenol, then returned critically ill.[[3]](https://www.facebook.com/ChiefsofOntario/posts/content-warning-this-release-discusses-the-death-of-a-first-nation-woman-and-ref/1240921384879383)[[4]](https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/health/2026/03/27/inquest-to-examine-death-of-ontario-indigenous-woman-following-hospital-visit)\n\nPrevious days heard from family, another paramedic (**Paula Lagrotteria** on Day 2 or 3), doctors, and experts like **Dr. Ron McMillan** (Day 5), who said no clear sepsis signs appeared initially.[[5]](https://www.wellandtribune.ca/)[[6]](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/winterstein-inquest-doctor-9.7154415)\n\nThe multi-day hearing, expected to last about 13 days with 22 witnesses, aims to recommend changes to prevent similar deaths, amid concerns over Indigenous healthcare access.[[7]](https://theturtleislandnews.com/index.php/2026/04/06/inquest-into-death-of-heather-winterstein-hears-testimony-from-family-paramedics-and-doctor)\n\n## Key quotes\n- \"A struggle for me.\" — **Brandon St. Angelo**, on Winterstein's death.[[1]](https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/winterstein-inquest-day-6/article_cc10487b-d0e6-5857-bbee-c3181eea799c.html)\n\n## Why it matters\nThe inquest highlights potential gaps in emergency response, triage, and monitoring that contributed to an avoidable death from sepsis in a young Indigenous woman. It means healthcare providers and families may gain insights into better communication during transports and earlier interventions for at-risk patients. Watch for jury recommendations and remaining witness testimonies, which could shape protocols but depend on full evidence.","hashtags":["#healthcare","#inquest","#sepsis","#indigenous","#niagara","#paramedic"],"sources":[{"url":"https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/winterstein-inquest-day-6/article_cc10487b-d0e6-5857-bbee-c3181eea799c.html","title":"Original article"},{"url":"https://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/news/niagara-region/winterstein-inquest-day-6/article_83014aad-51d9-5486-984c-6b930e7abb20.html","title":""},{"url":"https://www.facebook.com/ChiefsofOntario/posts/content-warning-this-release-discusses-the-death-of-a-first-nation-woman-and-ref/1240921384879383","title":""},{"url":"https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/health/2026/03/27/inquest-to-examine-death-of-ontario-indigenous-woman-following-hospital-visit","title":""},{"url":"https://www.wellandtribune.ca/","title":""},{"url":"https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/winterstein-inquest-doctor-9.7154415","title":""},{"url":"https://theturtleislandnews.com/index.php/2026/04/06/inquest-into-death-of-heather-winterstein-hears-testimony-from-family-paramedics-and-doctor","title":""}],"viewCount":2,"publishedAt":"2026-04-09T13:13:13.983Z","createdAt":"2026-04-09T13:13:13.983Z","articlePublishedAt":"2026-04-08T21:46:00.000Z"}