WARNING: This article discusses violence against Indigenous women and includes references to racist attitudes and actions. Resources are available at the end of this article.
The individual found guilty of manslaughter in the 2017 death of Barbara Kentner in Thunder Bay, Ontario, has been granted full parole with specific conditions.
The Parole Board of Canada (PBC) reached this decision regarding Brayden Bushby, who was sentenced to eight years in prison five years ago, on Thursday, as indicated in documents shared with CBC News on Tuesday.
“The board evaluated all pertinent information, which included file data, victim statements, recommendations from the Correctional Service of Canada, and the oral submissions made at the panel hearing,” the documents state.
The PBC concluded that releasing Bushby on full parole would not pose an “undue risk” and would “aid in the protection of society” by helping him reintegrate “into society as a law-abiding citizen.”
Barbara Kentner, who was 34 years old, passed away from health complications months after being struck by a trailer hitch thrown from a moving vehicle. She was a member of the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and is fondly remembered by her family as a caring mother, sister, cousin, and aunt.
Bushby was sentenced in June 2021. After accounting for time served, his prison term was adjusted to seven years and 11 months. He is now 27 years old and has two children.
Brayden Bushby, center, arrives at court in Thunder Bay accompanied by his defense team, George Joseph and Ryan Green in 2020. (Marc Doucette/CBC)
CBC News has contacted Kentner’s family and the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation (WLON) for their response.
“Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation expresses deep outrage and disbelief alongside Barbara Kentner’s family regarding the Parole Board of Canada’s choice to grant full parole to Brayden Bushby,” WLON stated in a press release on Wednesday.
“This decision is not only distressing — it serves as a painful reminder of the ongoing and systemic discrimination that plagues Canada’s justice system. The death of Barbara Kentner was not merely an isolated incident; it symbolizes the racism and violence that Indigenous people face daily.”
Clayton Wetelainen is the chief of Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation. (Sarah Law/CBC)
Bushby was initially granted day parole in August 2023. This was revoked in July 2024 after the PBC determined he breached several conditions. At that time, Kentner’s sister, Melissa Kentner, expressed to CBC News, “I thought I was going to have a heart attack” upon receiving the news.
He was granted day parole again in December 2025 for a period of six months and denied full parole, and received an additional three months of day parole in June 2026 at a community-based residential facility, which the PBC states also functions as a substance abuse treatment center.
Full parole permits an offender “to serve part of their sentence under supervision in the community under specific conditions,” as noted on the Government of Canada’s website. “Those on full parole typically stay in a private residence.”
NAN calls parole decision ‘devastating news’
Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), a political-territorial organization representing 49 First Nations across Treaties 9 and 5, released a statement Tuesday afternoon regarding Bushby’s release, describing it as “devastating news for Barbara Kentner’s family, the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway First Nation community, and the entire Thunder Bay area.”
“We are extremely disheartened to find that her attacker has been granted full parole and that parole officials believe he is suitable for reintegration into society. This feels like a significant injustice,” NAN remarked.
During Bushby’s pre-release hearing on Thursday, he attributed his actions “to excessive drinking and poor choices.”
“You claimed you did not target the victim [Kentner] and insisted what occurred was due to three days of drinking and making foolish decisions,” the PBC documents state.
People gather outside the former Camelot Street courthouse in Thunder Bay in 2020 as Superior Court Justice Helen Pierce delivers her ruling in the manslaughter case against Bushby. (Marc Doucette/CBC)
After being initially granted day parole, Bushby chose to get a Confederate flag tattoo on his chest.
“You mentioned you once bought a truck from the United States that had a Confederate flag and you liked it. You identified as having southern heritage and claimed your tattoo was not related to racism,” the PBC documents indicate.
“You acknowledged that the tattoo was your choice, stating you fell asleep during the process and were unaware of the final design until it was finished.”
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Man convicted in 2017 trailer hitch death in Thunder Bay gets day parole extension
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Brayden Bushby gets day parole in Barbara Kentner trailer hitch death in Thunder Bay after 1st one was revoked
Bushby was also involved in a minor traffic incident in March 2024, left the scene, and failed to inform his case management team about the incident.
“It was also reported that you were suspected of being involved in the theft of a vehicle,” earlier PBC documents noted.
The following month, Bushby was stopped by police and found to be driving under the influence of alcohol.
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Day parole revoked for Brayden Bushby, man convicted of trailer hitch death of Barbara Kentner in Thunder Bay
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Barbara Kentner has been failed again, says family after Brayden Bushby gets day parole in trailer-hitch death
In August 2025, the parole board noted he had been referred to work with a Black offender liaison officer after video footage showed him “cutting a swastika into the institutional lawn.”
In discussing this event, “you admitted it was not your best moment and that you were not thinking clearly. You did not fully understand the symbolism or the atrocities connected to it until you engaged in programming with the Black Cultural Advisor,” the PBC documents stated.
NAN’s statement highlighted “the parole board’s own findings indicate that Bushby has exhibited a recurring pattern of high-risk behavior.”
“We reject the board’s determination that releasing Bushby on full parole poses no undue risk to society. Anyone with a fundamental understanding of the racism and violence faced by Indigenous people in Thunder Bay should recognize that he remains a threat.
“Granting him parole conveys a perilous and misguided message.”
‘This is what systemic failure looks like’
The PBC acknowledged the numerous victim impact statements from Kentner’s relatives and friends, as well as from Indigenous organizations and representatives. They express “the consequences of yet another Indigenous woman losing her life, and the significant effects on the community due to the intergenerational trauma stemming from historical and recent losses,” it stated.
Bushby must adhere to seven conditions to maintain his full parole, including:
- Adhering to a treatment plan/program addressing substance abuse, attitude, mental health, and emotional management.
- Avoiding contact with individuals known or suspected to engage in criminal activities and substance abuse.
- Not consuming, purchasing, or possessing illegal drugs, apart from prescribed medications.
- Refraining from alcohol consumption.
- Not entering establishments primarily selling alcohol.
- Not contacting Kentner’s family, either directly or indirectly.
- Reporting all sexual and non-sexual relationships and friendships to his parole supervisor.
Cora McGuire-Cyrette serves as the chief executive officer of the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA).
In an interview with CBC News on Tuesday regarding Bushby’s release, she stated, “this is what systemic failure looks like.”
“Homicides against Indigenous women have doubled since the national inquiry. As a society and a community, we need to reflect on what has changed since [Kentner’s] death.
“Where are the investments in preventing future tragedies? Will we do more than simply raise awareness about this issue? Awareness without action will not lead to any change, and this is what we are witnessing here.”
Support is available for anyone affected by the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous people. Immediate emotional assistance and crisis support can be accessed 24/7 through a national hotline at 1-844-413-6649.
Mental health counseling and crisis support is also available around the clock through the Hope for Wellness hotline at 1-855-242-3310 or via online chat at www.hopeforwellness.ca.