Stephen Kiyoshk was born on November 20, 1891, on Walpole Island, Ontario, Canada.

On New Year's Day in 1912, Stephen Kiyoshk got into a heated argument with a man named Charles Nahdee. Kiyoshk accused Nahdee of pursuing his love interest, a girl named Flossie Williams. After their argument, Kiyoshk left the cabin, threatening to shoot Nahdee. Later that night, Kiyoshk, Williams, and another man, Adam Johns, were out on the river. They eventually stopped at the shore and ran into Nahdee again. Kiyoshk argued with him once more and then walked away, making another threat.

Later that night, neighbors heard several gunshots. They went to investigate and found both Nahdee and Johns dead inside the cabin, while Williams was unharmed. Because Kiyoshk had threatened Nahdee earlier, authorities arrested him and charged him with the murders. Kiyoshk claimed he was innocent, stating he was at home when the killings happened. He was convicted of Johns' murder and sentenced to death, but was acquitted in Nahdee's case.

After his conviction, several local figures began to support Kiyoshk, believing he did not commit the murders. They successfully argued for a new trial. During this trial, questions arose about how Kiyoshk could be convicted for one murder and not the other if both were believed to have been killed by the same person. The testimony from Williams also supported Kiyoshk's claim of innocence. Eventually, Kiyoshk was acquitted of all charges, and a few months later, he married Williams in an unusual ceremony. In April 1913, the Ontario Attorney General announced that all charges against Kiyoshk were withdrawn, leading to his declaration of innocence.

Years later, on August 17, 1939, the body of Jerry Blackbird was found dead in a boat on the St. Clair River. His feet were tied, and he had been killed with an axe. When police examined the scene, they found a photograph of Flossie Kiyoshk, Stephen's wife, in Blackbird's pocket. During questioning, Kiyoshk was found to have an axe and a wheelbarrow that might have been used in the crime. There was also a bloodstain on his pants. Kiyoshk stated he had been drunk and asleep, and that the blood was from a nosebleed. However, prosecutors suggested he killed Blackbird out of jealousy.

Kiyoshk was found guilty and sentenced to death. His execution was scheduled for November 26, 1940. There were attempts to have his sentence reduced, and a last-minute delay was granted for a final appeal. However, the appeal was ultimately rejected, and Kiyoshk was executed by hanging at the Lambton County Jail in Sarnia on January 3, 1941. His execution was notable as it was the first in Sarnia in nearly 70 years. Kiyoshk spent his last day playing cards and had no final words. His last meal was a chicken dinner.