Man convicted in 2017 trailer hitch death in Thunder Bay, Ont., granted full parole

WARNING: This story contains details of violence against Indigenous women, as well as references to racist beliefs and behaviours. Resources can be found at the bottom of this story.

The man convicted of manslaughter in the 2017 death of Barbara Kentner in Thunder Bay, Ont., has been granted full parole with conditions.

The decision regarding Brayden Bushby, who was sentenced five years ago to eight years in prison, was made by the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) on Thursday, according to documents provided to CBC News on Tuesday.

“The board considered all relevant available information including file information, victim information, Correctional Service of Canada's recommendation and the oral presentation at the panel hearing," the documents say.

It said releasing Bushby on full parole won't post "undue risk" and "will contribute to the protection of society" by facilitating his reintegration "back into society as a law-abiding citizen."

Kentner, 34, died from medical complications in the months after being struck by a trailer hitch thrown at her from a moving vehicle. She was a member of Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, and is remembered by her family as a loving mother, sister, cousin and aunt.

Bushby was sentenced in June 2021. Due to time already served, the prison term was reduced to seven years and 11 months. The now 27-year-old has two children.

CBC News has reached out to Kentner’s family and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation for comment and will update the story with any responses.

Bushby was first granted day parole in August 2023 . It was revoked in July 2024 after the PBC said he violated various conditions. At that time, Kentner's sister, Melissa Kentner, told CBC News, “ I thought I was going to have a heart attack ” upon hearing the news.

He was granted day parole again in December 2025 for six months and denied full parole, and granted three more months of day parole in June 2026 in a community-based residential facility, which the PBC says is also a substance abuse treatment centre.

Full parole allows an offender “to serve part of their sentence under supervision in the community under specific conditions,” according to the government of Canada's website. “Offenders on full parole typically reside in a private residence.”

During Bushby’s pre-release hearing on Thursday, he attributed his offence “to lots of drinking and bad decisions.”

“You denied targeting the victim [Kentner] and maintained what happened was a result of having been drinking for three days and making stupid decisions,” the PBC documents say.

After Bushby was first granted day parole, he got a Confederate flag tattooed on his chest.