A 30-year-old man died while in the Penticton RCMP cell block last week.
Insp. Brad Haugli released a statement that said the man, with no fixed addressed, was arrested on Aug. 9 as a result of a disturbance complaint and refusal to leave a Penticton residence. The man had a teleconference with a Judicial Justice of the Peace and was remanded for a court appearance in Penticton provincial court on Aug. 10.
"Prior to his court appearance the man was found unresponsive in his cell. B.C. Ambulance Services attended but the man was pronounced dead," said Haugli in the press release.
In keeping with RCMP policy, an independent investigation has been requested. The Saanich Police Department has been asked by Penticton RCMP to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the man while in his cell block. The B.C. Coroner Service has also been engaged.