Manslaughter charge laid in inmate’s fentanyl-related death

For the first time in Saskatchewan, the RCMP has laid manslaughter charges in connection to a fentanyl-related death.

Nikolai Ellson, 22, has been charged after an investigation into the death of Kirk Kelly Sabit, who was an inmate at the Regina Provincial Correctional Centre when he died in August of 2017.

Sabit was found unresponsive in his cell at the Regina jail. The RCMP investigation into his death determined that Sabit had lethal doses of carfentanil and fentanyl in his body.

Ellson subsequently was charged with manslaughter. He’s to make his next court appearance in Regina on April 30.