Police and corrections officials are investigating an in-custody death after an altercation between inmates at Fraser Regional Correctional Centre in Maple Ridge on Saturday.
Ridge Meadows RCMP was called to FRCC just before 4:30 p.m. after corrections staff reported an altercation had led to one man’s death.
A 27-year-old man was pronounced deceased at Ridge Meadows Hospital just before 6 p.m. on Saturday.
IHIT investigators are working in partnership with corrections personnel at FRCC to determine the circumstances leading up to this man’s death.
Investigators believe there may be witnesses with information about what led up to this in custody death and ask anyone who has not already spoken to police to come forward.
The name of the deceased inmate is not being released.
“First and foremost, we would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of this individual. Any custody-related death is a tragedy, and I can assure you that each and every one is taken extremely seriously," said Cindy Rose of B.C. Corrections.
“Safety is B.C. Corrections’ top priority, and we will be conducting a critical incident review to investigate the circumstances, relevant history, and any contributing factors preceding this death.
“RCMP and the B.C. Coroners are now investigating, and due to mandatory privacy laws and respect for the individual’s family, no further information can be released at this time.”
It was the second in-custody death of an inmate in the Lower Mainland in three days. On Thursday evening, convicted Stanley Cup rioter William Fisher died in custody. Fisher had been in prison less than a week when he went into medical distress in the North Fraser Pre-Trial Centre, where he was waiting to be transferred to a federal prison.
• Anyone with information regarding this investigation can call the IHIT infoline at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or email ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca. If you wish to remain anonymous provide your anonymous tip information on the web at solvecrime.ca or by phone at 1-800-222-8477.