City, dispatcher contributed to death of man who took his own life after 911 call, lawsuit alleges

WARNING: This story contains information about a suicide.

The daughter of a man who called 911 and then took his own life hours later is suing the City of Winnipeg and a dispatcher, claiming they failed to safeguard the man by not sending first responders in a timely manner after he said he was going to kill himself. 

A statement of claim, filed in Manitoba Court of King's Bench early this week, alleges the 911 dispatcher, whose identity is not disclosed in the lawsuit, was negligent and acted in bad faith, contributing to the death of Daniel Fraser Rentz by not treating a 911 call he placed "with the appropriate urgency" due to the nature of the call and the location in the city it came from.

Lily Jane Rentz, Daniel's daughter and sole plaintiff in the lawsuit, claims the city, which operates the 911 communications centre, is vicariously liable for the actions and omissions of the 911 operator that led to her father's death.

Rentz declined to comment but her lawyer told CBC News her family members are "using the civil litigation process to discover the facts surrounding their loved one's death."  

The statement of claim says Rentz's father called 911 around 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 5, 2022, with methamphetamine-induced psychosis and recent suicidal ideation.

Rentz's father informed the operator he was going to kill himself and required emergency mental health assistance, but the operator didn't prioritize the call and failed to de-escalate his suicidal ideation and engage the appropriate professional personnel to speak with him, the lawsuit says. 

The operator also failed to engage the appropriate protocol in responding to calls concerning suicide, the court document says.

Hours after the call, Daniel Rentz went to a nearby gas station and got two jerry cans of gasoline, then took them to the basement of his home on Logan Avenue and padlocked the door, the court filing says.

Around 1:35 a.m. on Nov. 6, Rentz's father used the cans to create an explosion that was followed by a fire, the lawsuit says. He died from thermal injuries from a gasoline accelerant.

None of the allegations in the lawsuit have been tested in court and no statement of defence has been filed.

CBC News reached to the city but they declined to comment given that the matter is still before the courts. 

The suit seeks a total of $90,000 in general damages for the loss of guidance, care and company of Daniel Rentz after his death for several family members, including his daughter, Lily, and his parents. 

It also seeks special damages, funeral and burial expenses, and the costs of the lawsuit.

If you or someone you know is struggling, here's where to get help:

• Canada's Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988.
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868. Text 686868. Live chat counselling on the website.
• Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Find a 24-hour crisis centre.
• This guide from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health outlines how to talk about suicide with someone you're worried about.