Tragic End: Alberta Man Found Dead in RCMP Cell After Hospital Collapse; Officers Cleared by ASIRT

In a tragic incident that sent ripples through the community of Fort Vermilion, Alberta, a man identified as William Joseph Bigstone was found dead in an RCMP holding cell just hours after collapsing in a local hospital waiting room. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has since concluded its thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Bigstone's death, ultimately clearing the officers involved of any wrongdoing.

The events unfolded on July 13, 2022, when Bigstone, 55, experienced a medical emergency, collapsing in the waiting area of the St.

Theresa General Hospital. Despite the initial medical distress, hospital staff later determined Bigstone was medically stable for release, but his behaviour, attributed to public intoxication, was reportedly causing issues. This led to his subsequent arrest by RCMP officers and transfer to the Fort Vermilion RCMP detachment.

Upon arrival at the detachment, Bigstone was placed in a holding cell.

The ASIRT report detailed that officers conducted regular checks on Bigstone throughout the night. However, in the early hours of July 14, officers made a grim discovery: Bigstone was found deceased in his cell. This immediate and tragic development triggered an extensive investigation by ASIRT, a civilian oversight agency responsible for investigating serious incidents involving police in Alberta.

The core of ASIRT's investigation focused on determining if the actions of the RCMP officers contributed to Bigstone's death.

Critical to this inquiry were the findings of the medical examiner. The autopsy revealed the cause of death to be a ruptured esophagus with significant internal bleeding, a condition exacerbated by Bigstone's pre-existing severe liver disease and history of alcohol abuse. The medical examiner unequivocally concluded that Bigstone's death was due to natural causes, entirely unrelated to any actions or inactions by the police.

ASIRT's comprehensive review, which included examining witness statements, police records, and medical reports, found that the officers had acted reasonably and professionally given the circumstances.

They confirmed that Bigstone was assessed by medical professionals at the hospital and deemed medically fit for release into police custody. Furthermore, the regular checks conducted by the officers while Bigstone was in the holding cell met the required standards.

In their final analysis, ASIRT emphasized that while the death of William Joseph Bigstone was undoubtedly a profound tragedy, there was no evidence to suggest any criminal conduct or negligence on the part of the RCMP officers.

The findings underscore the complexities faced by law enforcement when dealing with individuals experiencing both medical and substance-related issues. This conclusion brings an official end to the investigation, acknowledging the sorrow of the loss while affirming the officers' adherence to protocols.