Lethbridge, Alberta – The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is investigating the circumstances surrounding the in-custody death of a 31-year-old woman.
On Sept. 1, 2023 just after 11:30 p.m. the woman was arrested by Lethbridge Police in connection with an aggravated assault. At the time she was highly impaired by unknown substances. Following a medical assessment by EMS, she was transported to Chinook Regional Hospital. The woman remained in hospital under the care of medical staff throughout most of the following day (Sept. 2) until she was released back into the custody of police. Upon returning to the police station she was placed in a holding cell where she was later found unresponsive. All life-saving measures by police and EMS were unsuccessful and the woman was pronounced deceased.
As required by the Alberta Police Act, the Director of Law Enforcement was notified and directed ASIRT to conduct an independent investigation.
ASIRT investigators arrived in Lethbridge on the evening of Sept. 2 and the investigation is ongoing.
All media inquiries regarding this matter should be directed to ASIRT. LPS will not comment further.
ASIRT has jurisdiction over all sworn police officers in Alberta. Their mandate is to investigate incidents or complaints involving serious injury or the death of any person, and matters of a serious or sensitive nature, that may have resulted from the actions of a police officer.
Lethbridge Police Service
Social Media Sharing CentrePlease support us by "sharing".
