Danny McIlwaine, an inmate serving a life sentence and residing at Drummond Institution, died on January 2 2025. He was 62 years old.
On November 9, 1993 the body of Rev Warren Eling was discovered by two parishioners. They were checking up on him after he missed a morning appointment the previous day.
According to court records, Rev Eling was nude and his wrists had been tied to the brass headboard.
He had been strangled, a bathroom belt was wrapped around his neck five times and was also secured to the headboard.
An autopsy would later reveal his larynx had been crushed.
It appeared a robbery had also occurred. Dresser drawers were opened and the contents had been dumped on the floor.
Items from the house had also been stolen, including Rev Eling’s wallet, computer, sound system as well as the victims vehicle.
A few weeks later, Danny McIlwaine would be caught attempting to sell the stolen possessions to a local shop keeper who would contact police.
McIlwaine, 31, was an unemployed crack-cocaine addicted. At his trial he claimed that Rev Eling paid him $40 for sex and that his death was a result of erotic asphyxia.
The jury would reject this defense and McIlwaine would be convicted of first degree murder, as Rev. Eling was considered forcibly confined at the time of his death.
However, McIlwaine’s first degree murder conviction would be overturned by the Quebec court of appeal during the fall of 1996.
It was determined the original trial judge had errored when giving the definition of consent and forcible confinement to the jury.
After a second trial, in Febuary 1997, Danny McIlwaine would be convicted of second degree murder, with the chance of parole after serving 10 years.
A Correctional Canada press release stated their policy requires that the police and the coroner are notified, and the circumstances surrounding an inmates death are always reviewed.