B.C.’s police watchdog concludes Penticton RCMP not responsible for woman’s death

An investigation by the province's police watchdog into a Penticton woman’s death in July following an interaction with Penticton RCMP officers has concluded police action or inaction was not involved.

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. began its investigation following a July 30 incident in which officers responded to a request for assistance from neighbours concerned about an elderly woman’s behaviour, according to a media release from the office.

Police arrived at around 8 p.m., spoke to the woman and left after the she refused to go to the hospital. A neighbour found the woman deceased in her home the following day at around 11 a.m.

An autopsy revealed the woman died of natural causes.

The IIO’s chief civilian director reviewed evidence related to police involvement in the incident, including witness statements, health records and the autopsy report and concluded police had nothing to do with the woman’s death.

The investigation has now concluded, the IIO said.

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