A flowered memorial for Dr. Walter Reynolds outside the Village Mall Walk-In Clinic in Red Deer, August 2020. (file photo)

By Sheldon Spackman

Trial Cancelled

Crown confirms death of suspect accused in Red Deer doctor’s murder

Nov 4, 2021 | 3:43 PM

A Red Deer Crown prosecutor has confirmed the death of a man accused in the killing of a local doctor last year.

Bina Border told Justice Paul Belzil in Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench Thursday that Deng Mabiour, 55, passed away on Nov. 1, noting the Crown’s receipt of a letter from the office of the chief medical examiner on Nov. 3, confirming as such.

As for Mabiour’s cause of death, Border indicated that was still being investigated by the office of the chief medical examiner. Mabiour had previously been on a mental health warrant at the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry Centre in Calgary.

As a result of his death, however, Border applied to Justice Belzil to withdraw all counts against Mabiour and to vacate his upcoming trial dates running from Nov. 22-Dec. 17, 2021, a request that was granted by Belzil.

Belzil thanked court-appointed amicus council Jason Snider, along with Border, acknowledging an “extremely challenging prosecution,” given that Mabiour refused to obtain legal counsel and chose to represent himself during proceedings.

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Belzil also praised court staff for their “enormous amounts of work” in preparation for the trial, citing hundreds of jury summons sent out to the community.

He further pointed out that from a community perspective, “this would have been a very, very difficult situation,” for the family of Dr. Walter Reynolds, along with clinic staff, police officers who attended, and members of the public.

It was on Aug. 10, 2020, when Red Deer RCMP were called to the Village Mall Walk-In Clinic where they found 45-year-old Dr. Walter Reynolds, suffering from severe injuries. He was taken to hospital where he succumbed to those injuries.

“I hope that those involved are able to obtain some measure of closure as a result of the fact that Mr. Mabiour has passed away,” concluded Belzil.