Maximus Kitchkeesic charged with Second Degree Murder in death of Justin Coaster

THUNDER BAY – A Thunder Bay man has been formally charged with Second Degree Murder in connection with a deadly incident that occurred on Dawson Road on September 30, 2025.

Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) officers responded to multiple 911 calls reporting an injured male in the 1010 Dawson Road area shortly after the incident. Members of the Primary Response Unit, Emergency Task Unit, and the K9 Unit were all deployed to the scene.

The victim, identified as 35-year-old Justin Coaster, was transported to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, where he was later pronounced dead.

Investigation Leads to Arrest

Following an intensive investigation by the TBPS Major Crimes Unit and the Forensic Identification Unit, a suspect was identified. On Friday, October 10th, members of the Break and Enter and Robbery (BEAR) Unit, supported by the Community Oriented Response & Engagement (CORE) Unit, successfully located and arrested the accused.

Maximus KITCHKEESIC, a resident of Thunder Bay, has been charged with:

Criminal Code Section 235(1): Second Degree Murder

He made a court appearance on October 11th, where he was remanded into custody pending further court proceedings.

The investigation remains ongoing, and Thunder Bay Police have not ruled out further developments.

Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Thunder Bay Police Service at (807) 684-1200 or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Understanding the Charge: What Is Second Degree Murder?

Second Degree Murder is defined under Section 231 of the Canadian Criminal Code as any murder that is not premeditated (First Degree) but still intentional. This can include killings that occur in the heat of the moment or during an assault where the intent to kill or cause serious harm exists, but without planning.

Unlike First Degree Murder, which requires elements such as planning and deliberation or occurs during certain crimes (e.g., kidnapping), Second Degree Murder does not require evidence of prior intent. However, the Crown must still prove that the accused meant to cause death or meant to cause bodily harm likely to result in death.

Penalties Upon Conviction

A conviction for Second Degree Murder in Canada carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. However, the period before the offender becomes eligible for parole is set by the trial judge and can range between:

• 10 to 25 years, depending on aggravating or mitigating factors presented during sentencing.

Factors that can influence this decision include the accused’s criminal history, degree of violence involved, impact on the victim’s family, and whether the offender shows remorse or takes responsibility.

It’s important to note that parole eligibility does not mean automatic release. The offender must demonstrate to the Parole Board of Canada that they no longer pose a threat to public safety.

NetNewsLedger will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.