Lethbridge police cleared in death of ‘unwanted guest’ removed from home

A Lethbridge Police Service cruiser is seen in a stock photo.

Two Lethbridge Police Service officers have been cleared of any wrongdoing in an incident that saw a suspect die after going into medical distress while in custody.

Alberta’s police watchdog, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT), was directed to investigate the incident, which began on March 23, 2025.

In a report released on Wednesday, ASIRT said the two officers were called to a home on Scenic Drive just before midnight for reports of an unwanted guest.

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ASIRT said the suspect “resisted” the officers and “a struggle began.”

The officers called for reinforcements and, just after midnight on March 24, 2025, physically removed the man from the home.

ASIRT said the man, who was “naked or mostly naked,” was placed in a police vehicle.

The backup officers arrived, at which time the suspect “appeared to be in medical distress,” ASIRT said.

He was removed from the vehicle and first aid was given until paramedics arrived.

Paramedics took the suspect to hospital, where he was admitted in life-threatening condition.

He died on April 2, 2025.

According to ASIRT’s report, an autopsy determined the man’s cause of death was the “toxic effects of methamphetamine.”

“Significant conditions contributing to the death were atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,” the report states.

ASIRT’s investigation concluded that while the officers used force to remove the man from the home, the force used wasn’t excessive, and there is “not reasonable grounds to believe that the subject officers committed any criminal offence.”