An Edmonton Remand Centre inmate was found unresponsive in her cell. This is the third death under investigation at the jail in less than 2 months.

Alberta Justice spokeswoman Louise McEachern confirmed by email that the correctional staff performed CPR to the woman and police and emergency responders were contacted, but the inmate was announced dead.

Is there something wrong?

According to McEachern, the cause of death is unknown currently and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is investigating. The next of kin was also notified.

The information released on how the woman died strikingly resembles what Alberta Justice said after the deaths of two other Remand Centre inmates in May.

Edmonton first aid — Alberta Justice spokeswoman Louise McEachern confirmed by email that the correctional staff performed CPR to the woman and police and emergency responders were contacted, but the inmate was announced dead.

On May 5, Carol Lee Biyand was found dead in her cell, a day after being found mentally unfit to stand on trial. Biyand was identified when her death was confirmed during a hearing in Edmonton’s mental health court, but the government declined to verify her identity due to privacy concerns. A close friend of Biyand said that the 29-year old was dealing with addiction and mental health issues in the months leading to her incarceration.

Similar cases

Another inmate, a man also died after he was discovered unresponsive in his cell on May 19. The causes of Biyand and the man’s death were also under investigation.

As a response to the questions on the circumstances of Biyand’s death, the Alberta Justice previously stated that information from the internal review will be available through a public fatality inquiry.

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