Family of slain Winnipeg restauranteur continues calls for bail reform

As the anniversary of the death of a Winnipeg restaurateur approaches, his family is renewing calls for bail reform in Manitoba.

Kyriakos Vogiatzakis was tragically killed by a repeat violent offender who was out on bail, and his loved ones hoping to prevent other families from experiencing similar loss and heartbreak.

“The justice system is a big reason why my brother is gone, the justice system failed us,” said Mike Vogiatzakis.

“The impact on our family has been devastating, to lose our little brother and no justice in return.”

Last January the Vogiatzakis family was forever changed after Kyriakos was fatally assaulted by 38-year-old Curtis Ross Dalebozik, an individual with a lengthy rap sheet, who had been diagnosed with an unspecified psychosis. 

While Dalebozik would eventually be arrested and charged with manslaughter, Kyriakos’s brother Mike was left feeling as if his brother’s death could’ve been avoided.

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But unfortunately, over the past year, Vogiatzakis has heard time and time again that his family is not alone in no longer feeling safe in their very own neighbourhoods.

“I hear that over and over again, I can’t even walk outside at night and enjoy my neighborhood because I am afraid, and that shouldn’t be happening in a city like Winnipeg.”

Vogiatzakas’ calls for action come on the heels of arguably the deadliest year in Manitoba history. 

In 2024, authorities investigated 99 homicides, the most recorded in 63 years, and more than double the number recorded just 10 years ago. 

Vogiatzakas believes these startling statistics point to not just the need for bail reform but also the need for greater rehabilitation services. 

“We should be providing rehab to people so that they are healed, not that we are leaving criminals on the streets, people that are healed who have gone through programs who want to make a change and want to be a part of society again,” said Vogiatzakis.

Following Kryiakos’ death last January, hundreds gathered to pay their respects. Numbers Vogiatzakis only expects to grow in a few weeks time when they return to the parking lot of the Cork and Flame, to remember Kyriakos’ life, and to demand change. 

“This catch and release system is pathetic and wrong and it’s only hurting us the citizens and if we don’t stand up to it and for change, nothing will change.”

Kyriakos’ remembrance of life is scheduled for 7 p.m. on January 24^th.