On Sunday, July 4, 2021, around 11:20 p.m., a woman was found unresponsive while being held at the Sandy Bay RCMP Detachment. The woman had been taken into custody earlier that evening at approximately 8:20 p.m. in relation to an ongoing investigation.
Upon discovering the unresponsive woman, two Sandy Bay RCMP officers performed lifesaving measures and called the Sandy Bay Health Clinic EMS. The two officers assisted EMS after their arrival. The woman was pronounced deceased on scene by EMS at approximately 00:17 a.m. on July 5, 2021.
In accordance with the RCMP Act, Saskatchewan RCMP has requested the Moose Jaw Police Service conduct an independent external investigation into the circumstances surrounding the in-custody death of the 44-year-old woman. The name of the deceased is not being released at this time.
The Saskatchewan Coroners Service is involved in the investigation.
Saskatchewan RCMP has requested the Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice and Attorney General appoint an independent investigation observer in accordance with Section 91.1 of the Saskatchewan Police Act.
Saskatchewan RCMP has also requested the Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice and Attorney General appoint a second independent investigation observer of First Nation ancestry in accordance with the Saskatchewan Police Amendment Act, 2020.
