Alberta's police watchdog investigating after senior dies hours after being in police custody

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team has been directed to investigate after a senior died the same day he was released from police custody.

On Sunday at around 8:18 p.m., RCMP in Fort Macleod, Alta., responded to a call about an unconcious man in front of the southwestern town's library.

Police and EMS responded, and found an unconscious 72-year-old man on the sidewalk. He was taken to hospital, where he was found to be intoxicated, and two hours later he was medically cleared and released into police custody.

Police said as the man was severely intoxicated and they couldn't find anyone who could pick him up, he was put into a holding cell until officers felt he had recovered enough to be safely released.

On Monday morning at 8:05 a.m., police transported the man at his request to a nearby home.

At 9:53 p.m. that night, police responded to a call at the home about a deceased man. The 72-year-old was found dead inside.

ASIRT will investigate the circumstances surrounding the man's detention, including if there was any connection between the detention and the man's death.

RCMP said as the incident is under investigation, it won't be commenting further.