The family of Bryce Alan Hayes, a 23-year-old man who was killed at the Nancy Page Crisis Residential Facility in Minneapolis, is demanding answers regarding the circumstances of his death. They are especially concerned about how someone with a recent history of violence was permitted to stay in a facility that cares for vulnerable residents.
Read More
During a press conference on Friday, Hayes's family and their attorneys revealed that he had been admitted to the facility for depression and anxiety. He was on the autism spectrum and had been living at Nancy Page for approximately three weeks, with plans to transition to permanent housing just days before the tragedy on September 30.
According to reports, the incident occurred on the morning of September 28 when Derek Faulkner, 31, allegedly assaulted Hayes and other individuals at the facility using various objects, including a fork and a fire extinguisher. Hayes was found in his second-floor bedroom with serious injuries and was later pronounced dead at a hospital shortly before 1 a.m. on September 29.
The family's attorney indicated that other patients may have attempted to intervene during the attack, raising questions about whether the staff responded adequately. Faulkner has been charged with intentional second-degree murder and multiple counts of second-degree assault in relation to the incident.
Prior to this attack, Faulkner was facing charges for separate violent incidents that occurred in August, including attempted second-degree murder for allegedly firing a rifle at a coworker. On September 1, a petition for his judicial commitment was filed, which led to an order for commitment on September 15. It remains unclear if Faulkner's placement at the Nancy Page facility was connected to that commitment.
Chris Stewart, the family’s attorney, emphasized the need for more information about the events at the facility and expressed the belief that individuals in mental health care deserve protection. He stated, "Just because somebody is in a mental health facility does not mean that they don't deserve the same protections that all of us deserve."
The family is devastated by Hayes’s death, which they describe as horrific and unnecessary. They are conducting their own investigation into what led to the tragedy and questioning how a person with Faulkner’s violent past was allowed access to the facility.
Faulkner is currently held at Hennepin County Jail on a $5 million bond, with his next court appearance scheduled for November.