UBC sexual assault suspect David Singh Tucker dies at Surrey Pretrial Centre

A man charged in relation to a violent sexual assaulton the UBC campus has died while in custody of the provincial Corrections Service.

The B.C. Coroners Service confirmed thatDavid Singh Tucker, 28, died at the Surrey Pretrial Services Centre late on July 24 and was found by staff early July 25.

Coroners service spokeswoman Barb McLintocksaid the cause and manner of Tucker's death were under investigation.

B.C. Corrections confirmed the death and expressed condolences for Tucker's family.

"Any custody-related death is a tragedy, and I can assure you that each and every one is taken extremely seriously," said spokeswoman Amy Lapsley.

"We are conducting a critical incident review to investigate the circumstances, relevant history, and possible contributing factors preceding this death, to make recommendations that may reduce the likelihood of similar incident in the future."

Tucker and 23-year-oldYuanZhiGao, the co-accused in the case, wereboth charged in May with one count of breaking and entering.

Tucker was also chargedwith three counts each of:

• Sexual assault with a weapon.
• Forcible confinement.
• Robbery.

He had also been charged with one count ofwearing a mask with intent to commit an indictable offence.

Gao wasgranted bail in Mayafter posting a $50,000 bond with conditions that includednot going west of Blenheim Street, onto the UBC Campus or Endowment Grounds.

He wasalso banned from having contact withthe allegedvictims or Tucker.

The pair were arrested in Mayoutside an apartment onBirneyAvenue near Wesbrook Mallon the UBC campus.

At the time,RCMPsaid the victims and suspects did not knoweach other.