Edmonton police under investigation after woman, 55, dies in custody

The death of a 55-year-old woman Monday who was in Edmonton police custody is under investigation by theAlberta Serious Incident Response Team.

Officerscalled to the Belvedere LRT station on Sunday encounteredthree intoxicated people, ASIRTsaid in a news release Tuesday.

Theyarrested the woman, charging her with causing a disturbance andbreach of recognizance.

She was also arrested on outstanding warrants for theft and for failingto appear.

The woman wasplaced in a holding cell with other people. During a cell check at around 10 a.m. the next morning, the woman was found on the floor unresponsive and having difficulty breathing.

ASIRTsaidthere were no obvious signs of significant trauma or injury.

The woman was taken to hospital in critical condition and died Monday evening.An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday.

Theinvestigation will focus on whether police conduct caused or contributed to the woman's death, the release said.

ASIRTinvestigates incidents involving police that resultin serious injury or death, as well as allegations of police misconduct.