Man accused in 2021 May Street death pleads guilty to manslaughter

THUNDER BAY -- A Thunder Bay man has pleaded guilty for his role in the 2021 death of 35-year-old Brian Jacob Wyer.

Shane Kruchak appeared in a Thunder Bay courtroom on Wednesday where he pleaded guilty to the charge of manslaughter.

The plea was made for the purposes of ordering a pre-sentence report and no facts were read into the court record at this time.

Kruchak was first arrested on Dec. 18, 2021, following an incident on the city’s south side early that morning.

Police were called to a laneway in the 200 block of May Street just after 8:30 a.m. for reports of an injured male.

At the time, the Thunder Bay Police Service said the male, later identified as Wyer, was located and suffering injuries consistent with a stabbing. He was transported to hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Police said Kruchak and Wyer were known to each other, and that the altercation did not appear to be drug related.

Kruchak was located in the area later that day and arrested. He was originally charged with second-degree murder and breach of probation.

The matter will return to court in April to set a date for sentencing.