WARNING: This story includes accounts of violence against Indigenous women and mentions of racist attitudes and actions. Resources are available at the end of this article.
Brayden Bushby, the individual found guilty of manslaughter in the 2017 death of Barbara Kentner in Thunder Bay, Ontario, has been granted full parole under specific conditions.
The Parole Board of Canada (PBC) made the ruling concerning Bushby, who received an eight-year prison sentence five years ago, on Thursday, as indicated by documents released to CBC News on Tuesday.
According to the documents, “The board reviewed all pertinent information available, including file data, victim details, recommendations from the Correctional Service of Canada, and the oral submissions made during the panel hearing.”
The board concluded that granting Bushby full parole would not create “undue risk” and would “enhance the safety of society” by aiding his reintegration “as a law-abiding citizen.”
Barbara Kentner, 34, passed away due to medical complications months after being struck by a trailer hitch thrown from a moving vehicle. A member of the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, she is remembered fondly by her family as a caring mother, sister, cousin, and aunt.
Bushby was sentenced in June 2021. After accounting for time served, his sentence was shortened to seven years and 11 months. He is now 27 and has two children.
Brayden Bushby, center, enters court in Thunder Bay accompanied by his defense team, George Joseph, left, and Ryan Green in 2020. (Marc Doucette/CBC)
CBC News has contacted Kentner’s family and the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation (WLON) for their responses.
“The Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation expresses its deep outrage and disbelief over the Parole Board of Canada’s decision to grant full parole to Brayden Bushby, a member of our community, Barbara Kentner’s family,” WLON stated on Wednesday.
“This ruling is not only shocking but also highlights the ongoing and systemic discrimination present within Canada’s justice system. The death of Barbara Kentner was not an isolated incident; it exemplifies the racism and violence that Indigenous people face every day.”
Clayton Wetelainen is the chief of the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation. (Sarah Law/CBC)
Bushby was initially granted day parole in August 2023, which was subsequently revoked in July 2024 after the PBC determined he had breached several conditions. In response, Kentner’s sister, Melissa Kentner, expressed to CBC News, “I felt like I was going to have a heart attack” when she learned of the development.
He was again granted day parole in December 2025 for a six-month period but was denied full parole, later receiving an additional three months of day parole in June 2026 at a community-based residential facility that also functions as a substance abuse treatment center, as noted by the PBC.
Full parole allows an offender “to complete part of their sentence under supervision in the community with specific conditions,” according to the Government of Canada’s website. “Individuals on full parole typically reside in a private home.”
NAN labels parole ruling ‘devastating news’
Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), a political-territorial organization representing 49 First Nations in Treaties 9 and 5, issued a statement Tuesday in reaction to Bushby’s parole, describing it as “devastating news for Barbara Kentner’s family, the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway First Nation community, and the broader Thunder Bay community.”
“We are deeply disheartened to find out that her assailant has been granted full parole and that parole authorities consider him suitable for reintegration into society. This feels like a grave injustice,” NAN stated.
During Bushby’s pre-release hearing on Thursday, he attributed his actions to “excessive drinking and poor choices.”
“You denied targeting the victim [Kentner] and insisted that the incident stemmed from 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 announces her decision in the manslaughter trial against Bushby. (Marc Doucette/CBC)
After being initially granted day parole, Bushby got a tattoo of a Confederate flag on his chest.
“You mentioned that you once bought a truck from the U.S. featuring a Confederate flag and liked it. You have southern roots, and the choice of your tattoo was not motivated by racism,” the PBC documents indicate.
“You acknowledged that the tattoo was your decision, stating that you fell asleep during the procedure and were unaware of the completed tattoo 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
In March 2024, Bushby was involved in a minor car accident, fled the scene, and did not report the incident to his case management team.
“It was also noted that you were suspected of being involved in the theft of a motor vehicle,” earlier PBC documents state.
The following month, he was stopped by police and found to be 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 indicated he was directed to work with a Black offender liaison officer after being caught on video “carving a swastika into the institutional lawn.”
Regarding this incident, “you stated that it was not your best moment and that you were not thinking clearly. You did not fully understand or appreciate what it symbolizes and its connection to the atrocities until you engaged with the Black Cultural Advisor,” the PBC documents reveal.
NAN’s statement remarked that “the parole board’s own findings recognize that Bushby has demonstrated a continuous pattern of high-risk behavior.”
“We dispute the board’s assertion that releasing Bushby on full parole does not present an undue risk to the community. Anyone with even a basic understanding of the racism and violence inflicted on Indigenous individuals in Thunder Bay should recognize that he continues to pose a threat.
“Granting him parole conveys a dangerous and misguided message.”
‘This is what systemic failure looks like’
The PBC acknowledged the numerous victim impact statements from Kentner’s family and friends, as well as from Indigenous organizations and representatives. They address “the consequences of another Indigenous woman losing her life, and the significant repercussions for the community given the intergenerational effects of historical and recent traumas,” it stated.
Bushby is required to follow seven conditions to maintain his full parole, which include:
- Adhering to a treatment plan/program related to substance abuse, attitude, and mental health management.
- Avoiding contact with individuals known or suspected of engaging in criminal activities and substance abuse.
- Refraining from consuming, purchasing, or possessing drugs other than prescribed medications.
- Not consuming alcohol.
- Not entering establishments where alcohol is primarily sold.
- 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 is 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 remarked, “this exemplifies systemic failure.”
“Homicide rates against Indigenous women have doubled since the national inquiry. As a community and society, we must reflect on what has changed since [Kentner’s] death.
“Where are the efforts to prevent future tragedies? Will we do more than raise awareness about this issue? Awareness without action will not lead to any change, and that is what we are witnessing here.”
Support is available for anyone impacted by the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous individuals. Immediate emotional support and crisis assistance can be accessed 24/7 through a national hotline at 1-844-413-6649.
Mental health counseling and crisis support are also available around the clock through the Hope for Wellness hotline at 1-855-242-3310 or via online chat at www.hopeforwellness.ca.
