Halifax Anesthesiology Resident Sentenced to House Arrest for Break-Ins and Medical Record Access
Dr. Tian Zhang, a 32-year-old Halifax anesthesiology resident, was sentenced to 18 months of house arrest and 18 months of probation after pleading guilty to break and enter and theft. Over three years, Zhang repeatedly entered his neighbors' apartment, stole undergarments, and accessed their medical records using his physician credentials.
A 32-year-old Halifax anesthesiology resident has been sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment served in the community, commonly known as house arrest, followed by 18 months of probation after pleading guilty to one count of break and enter and committing theft.
Dr. Tian Zhang entered his guilty plea in Nova Scotia Supreme Court on Oct. 8. Justice Frank Hoskins issued a written decision accepting a joint recommendation for the conditional sentence on Oct. 21.
Zhang was arrested on Sept. 27, 2025, after being found hiding in the closet of his neighbor's apartment when she returned home. Following the arrest, police searched Zhang's apartment and discovered two pairs of men's underwear belonging to Daniel Higham, as well as a key that unlocked the apartment shared by Higham and Eugena Brennan.
Zhang confessed to entering the neighbors' apartment multiple times over the three years prior to his arrest. He stated that the frequency of the entries increased from once every six months to once or twice a month.
In addition to the physical break-ins, Zhang used resources available to him as a physician to access the victims' medical records without authorization.
Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Grainne E. Neilson determined that Zhang's actions were driven by a "perfect storm" of severe mental health issues. These included perfectionism, social isolation, and burnout during his residency, which were exacerbated by the pandemic beginning in 2020.
The court accepted the joint recommendation for a conditional sentence based on Zhang's remorse, his lack of prior convictions, and a low risk of reoffending. As part of the sentence, Zhang is required to pay restitution of $1,532.10 to Brennan and $1,280.80 to Higham.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia is currently investigating Zhang regarding his physician’s licence.