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Man dead after going into medical distress in Vancouver jail

He had been taken into custody by the VPD on April 30.
Vancouver_Police_Office
A man died after being found in medical distress in a VPD jail on May 1, 2023.

A man who was found in medical distress earlier this month at a Vancouver Police Department (VPD) jail has died, according to the Independent Investigation Office of BC (IIOBC).

"He was taken to a hospital for treatment but did not survive," states the IIOBC in a May 19 press release.

The IIOBC launched an investigation May 3 after it was reported that the man had sustained "serious injuries." But in the May 3 press release, no further details about his condition at the time were reported.

The man was arrested around 4:15 p.m. on April 30 and taken to a VPD jail. 

"It is reported that at about 8:25 a.m. the following morning (May 1), the man was found to be in medical distress in his cell," states the IIOBC in a previous press release. 

"Emergency Health Services attended and transported the man to a hospital for treatment."

At the time of publication, they have not provided further information about his death, including details about the man's arrest beyond when it occurred.

The IIOBC says the investigation is ongoing and is looking for witnesses, people with relevant information, and video footage of the incident.