Tristan Custer's sentencing hearing on Friday almost did not go ahead as he was asking for more time to get his affairs in order. (Image Credit: Nigel Maxwell/paNOW)

By Nigel Maxwell

Crime

Man responsible for murder of teenage boy at Deschambault Lake receives life sentence

Jan 30, 2026 | 5:11 PM

While offering no apology to his victim’s family, a man convicted of murder appeared more concerned with the transfer of his personal belongings from a provincial correctional centre to a federal penitentiary.

Tristan Dexter Custer appeared Friday morning at Court of King’s Bench in Melfort where he received a life sentence for the death of 17-year-old Calan Custer in October, 2023 at Deschambault Lake.

Both the Crown and defense agreed on parole eligibility at 10 years. With remand credit, the 29-year-old has about seven-and-a-half years left to serve before he can apply.

 Friday’s hour long hearing came three days after Tristan was convicted of second degree murder.

 On the night Oct. 1, 2023, he and a teenage girl were walking down a road in the northern community.

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Calan Custer, who was heavily intoxicated and armed with a sword, was in pursuit and challenged Tristan to “pull up on him” (fight).

 “At least once he uttered a threat to kill one of the two individuals,” Justice Gerecke said in his written decision.

 More than once Tristan tried to dissuade Calan saying “you’re just a baby.”

Without Calan initiating any move to strike, Tristan, who had a much smaller knife, proceeded to stab Calan a total of six times. The three strikes to the chest and abdomen areas were later attributed as the cause of death.

“After Calan was on the ground and had ceased to move, the assailant (Tristan) stabbed him in the side twice more,” Justice Gerecke wrote.

The entire altercation was captured on a nearby security camera.

 Shortly after came the sound of a gunshot, but police could not find any evidence of it being connected to the stabbing.

 The knife used by Tristan was later found about 100 feet away. Calan was pronounced deceased at the scene by RCMP and paramedics.

Calan Custer. (Image Credit: Submitted/ Catherine Custer)

 While they share the same last name, Tristan and Calan are not related.

Crown Prosecutor Erin Bartsch described the assault as impulsive and without planning.

The female youth was sentenced in October, 2024 and after entering a guilty plea to assault, received one year probation.

According to the emotional victim impact statements read in court, Calan was living with his grandmother in La Ronge but had returned home to visit his mother.

None of Calan’s family members were present in the courtroom, but through a conversation on social media, his mother Catherine told paNOW, every time her ‘baby boy’ left, he always gave her a big loving hug and said “I love you, so much all my heart, Kapī Kapī (always).”

Catherine went on to say Calan planned to graduate and wanted to make his mother proud.

“He wanted to make me a house, so he was thinking of a carpenter and construction worker.”

“Most of all , he always brightened everyone’s day. When he noticed someone down, he just made jokes till everyone laughed.”

Calan loved to fish. (Image Credit: Submitted/ Catherine Custer)

Tristan Custer was supported in the courtroom by a number of family members including a young child who was identified as his son.

Defence lawyer Christopher Koban stated Tristan has a lengthy documented history of violence, related to substance abuse that started when he was 12.

He also has several members of his family who attended residential schools.

Koban also noted Deschambault Lake is a community with substantial substance abuse issues and violence and a lack of opportunities for advanced education or employment.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell