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Man dies in RCMP custody in Smithers; police cite ‘self-inflicted actions’

An investigation by the B.C. Independent Investigations Office is underway.
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Smithers RCMP detachment. (Marisca Bakker photo)

The B.C. Independent Investigation Office (IIO) is conducting an investigation into the death of a man in the jail cells at the Smithers RCMP detachment Sept. 4.

A release from the IIO said a man was arrested Sept. 1 and remanded in custody in Smithers.

According to the release on Sunday night a cell guard found the man in distress and called for medical assistance. Emergency Health Services responded and transported the man to hospital where he was subsequently pronounced dead.

In a separate release, the RCMP said the medical distress was due to “self-inflicted actions.”

Police said they immediately notified the IIO, B.C.’s civilian oversight agency for police, which commenced the investigation.

The agency is asking anyone with information about this incident to come forward by calling toll-free 1-855-446-8477 or via the contact form on the iiobc.ca website.

The Interior News has been in contact with the family of the deceased man and is currently seeking confirmation of what transpired leading to his arrest and detention.

More to come.

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editor@interior-news.com

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Thom Barker

About the Author: Thom Barker

After graduating with a geology degree from Carleton University and taking a detour through the high tech business, Thom started his journalism career as a fact-checker for a magazine in Ottawa in 2002.
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