Independent B.C. agency probes death of man at hotel after police were called

The B.C. agency that investigates deaths or serious injuries involving police is looking into the case of a man who was found dead at a Kelowna hotel after police were called to a disturbance there.

A release from Staff Sgt. Annie Linteau, a spokeswoman for the RCMP, says Kelowna RCMP received a complaint of a disturbance at a hotel room in the 2400 block of Highway 97 North at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Police sent to the hotel determined the subject of the complaint was known to police and was being sought under the Mental Health Act for an earlier incident.

Officers gained entry to a locked seventh-floor hotel room to apprehend the man under the Mental Health Act. Linteau said officers found the room empty and the man’s body on the grounds below.

The man was confirmed dead at the scene. Police do not suspect foul play.

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. was notified and is now investigating. The BC Coroners Services was also in attendance and involved.

“As the matter is now under investigation by the IIO B.C., no further information will be released by police at this time,” said Linteau.

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. is asking that anyone who witnessed this incident contact the office at 1-855-446-8477.