Report released on 2023 in-custody death of Lethbridge woman while in holding cell

Jul 6, 2026 | 4:00 AM

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team has completed its investigation into the death of a Lethbridge woman, who died in September of 2023, while in police custody.

As is standard practice, the report released on Friday didn’t contain the person’s name or identify of any of the four civilian witnesses or 10 officers interviewed.

The woman, identified by the initials AP or Affected Person, was arrested for Assault Causing Bodily Harm after a stabbing that took place on Sep. 1 of that year.

LPS said the woman, while in the short-term holding facility, was taken by EMS to Chinook Regional Hospital after being extremely drowsy and showing signs of an overdose.

Following treatment by hospital staff, she was brought back by police to the holding cells, and although being watched closely while in custody, passed away a short time later.

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An autopsy later confirmed that the woman had an elevated level of fentanyl in her system, and was more than the blood sample taken at the hospital.

In his conclusion, acting executive director Matthew Block said there were no reasonable grounds to believe a criminal offence had taken place by anyone involved.

Based on this case, Lethbridge Police told ASIRT, during the probe, it now has a paramedic on duty at its short-term holding facility 24-hours-a-day, and where it can’t, more medical attention is given.

The full nine-page document, including more details on the hospital visit, can be viewed here.

by Dave Lueneberg

Report released on 2023 in-custody death of Lethbridge woman while in holding cell

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