Investigation requested into death of man in RCMP custody in Onion Lake

ONION LAKE, Sask. – The RCMP say a young man has died while in custody at their detachment in Onion Lake, Sask.

Police say the 19-year-old from Lloydminster, Sask., was found in an unresponsive state just after 8;00 a.m. Saturday, and despite receiving CPR from emergency services personnel died at the scene.

There was no immediate word on the cause of death.

The Saskatchewan RCMP say that in accordance with the RCMP Act, they’ve asked the Moose Jaw Police Service to conduct the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

They say they have also requested that the Ministry of Justice appoint an independent observer.

Police say that because the matter is the subject of an external investigation, no further information, including the name of the deceased, can be released at this time.