Calgary man charged in teen's fatal overdose
Steve Phillip Gilbert Collins, 40, faces manslaughter charge—the first of its kind in connection with an overdose death in Calgary.
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A man has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of 16-year-old Jordynn Atkins-Materi, marking the first time Calgary Police Service has laid such a charge following an overdose death.
On November 27, 2025, Atkins-Materi and another 16-year-old girl met Steve Phillip Gilbert Collins, 40, in downtown Calgary. The two teens accompanied him to his residence in the 8300 block of Centre Street N.E., where police believe drugs were consumed. The next morning at approximately 7:25 a.m., Collins discovered Atkins-Materi unconscious and called 911. Despite life-saving efforts, she could not be revived. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause of death as "toxic effects of carfentanil."
Following an investigation by the Calgary Police Service's Drug Investigations for Safer Communities (DISC) Team and consultation with the Crown prosecutor, charges against Collins were determined to be warranted. He was taken into custody on June 25 and is scheduled to appear in court on July 6.
The charge reflects changes in how Calgary police investigate fatal overdoses. In 2023, CPS launched its OverDOSE pilot project, assigning dedicated drug investigators to overdose and drug-related deaths. The initiative was formalized in 2025 with the creation of the DISC Team, which focuses on identifying and investigating people suspected of trafficking drugs linked to overdose deaths, as well as the online sale of illicit substances.
"This is a heartbreaking loss, and we extend our deepest condolences to the victim's family," said Staff Sgt. Sean Gregson of the CPS Undercover Operations Unit. "Illicit drugs continue to have a devastating impact, particularly on vulnerable individuals in our community. This is exactly why the DISC Team was created — to ensure every overdose is thoroughly investigated and to target those responsible for trafficking these dangerous substances."
Anyone with information about drug trafficking in Calgary is asked to contact police at 403-266-1234 or submit an anonymous tip via Crime Stoppers.