For the second time, Edmonton police have laid a manslaughter charge in connection with a fentanyl death. This time though, the drugs were allegedly given to the victim while he was in police custody.
On May 19, 2016 at 12:36 a.m., Darcy Whitehead, 47, was in a holding cell at Edmonton Police Service Headquarters after being arrested for theft under $5,000 and two breaches of bail conditions.
Although the 47-year-old allegedly showed signs of intoxication at the time of the arrest, he was co-operative, functionally well, and physically co-ordinated, according the conclusion of an investigation into the incident.
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Another man was placed in the same downtown division holding cell about an hour and a half later. Police said he had been searched beforehand.
Police allege the man retrieved a small amount of concealed drugs and gave some to Whitehead, and both men then consumed the drugs. The claim comes after security video of the cell was seized and viewed.
Police said Whitehead went into medical distress. At 3 a.m., two peace officers showed up to take Whitehead for a bail hearing and found him on the floor. He was treated and transported to hospital, where he died a few hours later.
An autopsy determined Whitehead died from fentanyl and alcohol toxicity.
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Because he died in custody, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) investigated the death to determine whether there was any wrongdoing by police.
ASIRT concluded that neither police nor peace officers caused or contributed to Whitehead’s death, saying the second man was properly searched beforehand and both were checked on.
“This finding in no way diminishes the sad fact that a family has lost their loved one in another senseless fentanyl death,” said a statement from ASIRT executive director Susan D. Hughson.
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During the ASIRT investigation, security video from the cell were seized and reviewed. Based on evidence from this video, ASIRT immediately notified Edmonton police of its findings, and EPS launched a concurrent homicide investigation.
Daryl Saunter, 40, has been charged with manslaughter, criminal negligence causing death and trafficking a controlled substance. Saunter’s next court date is March 1.
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