On Nov. 4, 2025, at 4:23 p.m., Drumheller RCMP responded to an assault complaint at the Drumheller Institution. It was reported that one prisoner entered the cell of another and an altercation ensued. The victim was located unconscious a short time later by staff and was transported to a Calgary hospital with serious life-threatening injuries. On Nov. 7, 2025, RCMP Major Crimes took carriage of the investigation.
On Dec. 13, 2025, the victim, Hue Nguyen (55), a resident of the Drumheller Institution, succumbed to his injuries. On Dec. 16, 2025, an autopsy of Nguyen was completed at the Calgary Medical Examiner’s Office, and the manner of death was determined to be homicide.
On Dec. 17, 2025, Major Crimes Investigators, with support of the Interview Assistance Team, arrested the suspect at the Edmonton Institution. Christopher Despins (40) has been charged with manslaughter.
Despins will next appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Drumheller on Jan. 9, 2026.
-Submitted by Alberta RCMP-
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