David Milgaard, wrongfully imprisoned for 23 years, dies at 69

David Milgaard, a man who was wrongfully accused of rape and murder in 1969, passed away on Sunday at the age of 69.

Milgaard died in a Calgary hospital after some complications regarding pneumonia.

In January 1969, Milgaard, who was from Winnipeg, was 16 years old when he was passing through Saskatchewan with some friends. This was during the same time Saskatoon nurse Gail Miller’s body was found in a snowbank.

One year later, Milgaard was wrongfully convicted in Saskatoon for the rape and murder of Miller.

He was released in 1992 after spending 23 years behind bars when it became clear he didn’t commit the crime. Ultimately, Larry Fisher, a man with several convictions for sexual assaults and violence against women, was found guilty.

Milgaard received $10 million and a formal apology from the federal government after his wrongful conviction.

The advocate would go on to help raise awareness about wrongful convictions, becoming a voice for people who have been wrongfully imprisoned.