Alberta’s police watchdog has concluded that neither RCMP officers nor civilian guards committed any criminal offence in connection with the death of a man who died while being held in St. Paul RCMP cells in March 2025.

In a decision released June 24, 2026, Acting Executive Director Matthew Block of the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) determined there were no reasonable grounds to believe officers or guards were criminally responsible for the man’s death while in custody.

The man was arrested on the evening of March 18, 2025, after RCMP responded to a complaint that he was lying across the front steps of a residence, blocking access to the door. Police found the man, who had one leg and relied on a wheelchair, outside in cold weather conditions.

According to the report, officers believed he was intoxicated and determined the safest option was to lodge him overnight at the detachment where he could stay warm, rest and be released the following day.

The man died the next morning after becoming unresponsive in his cell.

Medical Examiner Ruled Death Natural

An autopsy conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the man died from complications of a perforated duodenal ulcer.

The manner of death was classified as natural.

The medical examiner found no significant injuries aside from rib fractures caused during life-saving efforts. Investigators noted there was no evidence the man’s death resulted from police use of force or any physical altercation while in custody.

Hospital Visits Earlier That Day

The ASIRT report revealed the man had attended the St. Paul Healthcare Centre twice earlier on March 18.

During an early morning visit, he sought help because he was homeless, cold and wanted shelter. He also requested treatment for his leg amputation site. He received antibiotics and was discharged.

Later that afternoon, he returned to hospital by ambulance after reportedly falling from his wheelchair and complaining of shoulder, arm and abdominal pain. Medical records reviewed by ASIRT indicated no rib fractures were identified and no diagnostic imaging was performed.

The report notes it was unclear whether he was formally discharged or left against medical advice.

Overnight Detention

Police transported the man to the St. Paul RCMP detachment shortly after 9:30 p.m. on March 18.

Video reviewed by investigators showed he was cooperative during the booking process and was able to transfer himself from his wheelchair to a bench inside his cell.

Throughout the night, guards observed him alternating between sitting and lying down. He vomited several times, requested water and sugar water, and occasionally knocked on the cell door for assistance.

The report notes that vomiting was not unusual behaviour for the man during previous periods of detention and was often associated with intoxication.

At approximately 8 a.m. the following morning, guards observed him sitting upright near the cell door with his wheelchair in front of him. Video later showed signs of possible respiratory difficulty, including deep and shallow breathing and an apparent inability to remain seated upright.

Around 8:09 a.m., he vomited a reddish-brown substance and slumped onto his right side. He remained in that position for the rest of the morning.

Questions Raised About Cell Checks

One issue examined by ASIRT was whether required prisoner checks were conducted properly.

The investigation found civilian guard logs suggested physical checks were being completed every 15 minutes or less as required by policy. However, video evidence showed fewer physical checks actually occurred.

ASIRT found the guard appeared to rely more heavily on CCTV monitoring than required under policy and that some entries in the prisoner logbook may have been based on camera observations rather than in-person checks.

The report also found some log entries appeared inconsistent with video evidence, including references suggesting the man had changed positions when footage showed he had remained motionless.

Despite those concerns, ASIRT concluded the evidence did not support criminal charges.

Why No Charges Will Be Laid

Investigators found there were no clear signs that the man was experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency until shortly before his condition was discovered.

The report notes that the man had been responsive and cooperative when lodged in cells and did not request medical attention. Officers familiar with him described his condition as consistent with previous interactions.

ASIRT also found the symptoms that later appeared serious — including breathing difficulties and his inability to remain upright — developed during a relatively short period while responsibility for monitoring the cell block was changing between guards.

At approximately 9:54 a.m., a guard trainee and civilian guard both believed the man was still breathing. When concerns later arose that he had not moved and appeared unresponsive, the guard called for RCMP assistance.

Officers entered the cell, attempted to wake him, began chest compressions and called EMS. Paramedics arrived shortly afterward and continued resuscitation efforts, but the man was pronounced dead.

Background

The deceased man was well known to local RCMP, healthcare workers and community support agencies. According to the report, officers frequently lodged him in cells during extreme weather conditions to protect him from exposure because he was unhoused, had significant health issues and had limited community supports.

ASIRT concluded that while the man’s death was tragic, the evidence did not support allegations of criminal negligence or a failure to provide the necessaries of life.

“While untimely and tragic, there are no reasonable grounds to believe that any officers or guards committed an offence,” Block wrote in the decision.