Kitchener, Ont. man who killed stranger with a crossbow dies in prison

A Kitchener man who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection to the killing of 60-year-old Michael Gibbon with a crossbow has died in prison.

A Kitchener man who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection to the killing of 60-year-old Michael Gibbon with a crossbow has died in prison.

On Tuesday, Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) confirmed 36-year-old Eric Amaral died in custody while serving his sentence at Warkworth Institution.

According to CSC, Amaral died on Monday.

“The final determination of the cause of death will be made by the coroner,” Mike Shrider, the regional manager of communications with CSC said in an email to CTV News. “CSC does not believe that this particular death is linked to COVID-19; however, this incident is still under investigation, and CSC is reviewing the circumstances.”

At the time of death, Amaral was serving an indeterminate sentence, which started on April 6, 2017, for offences including second-degree murder, assault causing bodily harm, and pointing a firearm, CSC said.

According to CSC, Amaral’s next of kin has been notified.

On Oct. 5, 2015, Gibbon was found semi-conscious on the front lawn of a home on Margaret Avenue in Kitchener after having been shot with a crossbow.