Prince George Woman Dies in Drunk Tank

A woman died in a police holding cell in Prince George early Thursday morning, the RCMP says.

The woman was taken into custody after officers, responding to a complaint about a half-naked man rolling around in the bushes near College Heights Neighbourhood Pub just before 1:00 a.m., noticed an intoxicated female nearby.

The two were arrested for being intoxicated in public and placed in holding cells, according to an RCMP news release.

Both were to be released once they were sober. However, the woman, whose name has not been made public, was found unresponsive in her cell during a routine check a few hours later, according to RCMP Const. Annie Linteau.

"The guards on duty observed the female to be unresponsive. The B.C. Ambulance Service were contacted and attempts to revive the female were not successful," Linteau said.

It is not known how long the woman was unresponsive in her cell, but Linteau said it is RCMP policy to check on prisoners every 15 minutes.

Linteau said the woman and the man who was also arrested did know each other.

The North District's Major Crime Unit is investigating the death, Linteau said, and an independent review will also be conducted.