In February, Ashley Rattlesnake was sentenced to eight years in prison for the manslaughter death of Nina Napope Dumais, an eight-year-old girl who died while in Rattlesnake's care. Edmonton justice reporter Jonny Wakefield examines the history of the case and the conflict that emerged between prosecutors and the Edmonton Police Service over a plea agreement for Rattlesnake.
Timeline of Events
September 2022 — Ashley Rattlesnake becomes eight-year-old Nina Napope Dumais's sole caregiver.
April 22, 2023 — Nina suffers a fatal head injury in Rattlesnake's apartment.
April 23, 2023 — Edward Nievera, Rattlesnake's friend, drives to her apartment with three other men, including Rattlesnake's brother Ocean Hilbach, who pick up Nina's body and leave it in a hockey bag in Samson Cree Nation.
April 24, 2023 — Police are informed what happened to Nina after Jamie Pickard, Rattlesnake's friend who saw Nina injured in her apartment, spoke about what he had seen.
April 27, 2023 — Rattlesnake and Nievera are arrested and charged.
April 29, 2023 — Police investigators locate Nina's body.
May 1, 2023 — Dr. Ingo von Both, Alberta's assistant chief medical examiner, conducts an autopsy that finds Nina suffered chronic child abuse, including injuries that had healed without treatment.
August 2024 — A preliminary inquiry into the case takes place.
Nov. 20, 2024 — Edmonton police chief Dale McFee announces he is stepping down effective Feb. 21, 2025.
Dec. 12, 2024 — Premier Danielle Smith announces McFee has been appointed as head of the Alberta Public Service.
Feb. 21, 2025 — The Edmonton Police Commission names Warren Driechel and Devin Laforce as interim co-chiefs while it conducts a search for McFee's replacement.
April 2025 — Edmonton police first learn of a prospective plea deal in Rattlesnake's case.
Sept. 8, 2025 — Driechel signs off on a letter authored by top EPS lawyer Megan Hankewich to Kimberley Goddard, the assistant deputy minister of the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service. The letter slams a planned manslaughter plea agreement with a recommended eight-year sentence for Rattlesnake. If the Crown does not reconsider the deal, Hankewich threatens to share significant information from the investigation with the public to advocate for a stronger prosecution service.
Sept. 10, 2025 — Rattlesnake pleads guilty to manslaughter. Sentencing is adjourned. Edmonton police host a news conference in which they release Hankewich's letter and reiterate their concerns about the plea to the lesser charge. The same day, Smith says she supports EPS's move.
