3 Alberta Sheriffs charged in connection with sudden death at Alberta courthouse

Judges bench at the Edmonton Law Courts building, in Edmonton on June 28, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

UPDATE: Charges against all three sheriffs were stayed in April 2026.

Three Alberta Sheriffs have been charged by Edmonton police in connection with a sudden death at the Court of King’s Bench in 2023.

Police were investigating the death, which took place on June 16. They said a 46-year-old man was taken into custody by Alberta Sheriffs following a sentencing hearing.

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At that time, police said the man “experienced a medical emergency” in the prisoner holding area. He was pronounced dead on scene.

On Thursday, police announced charges against three Alberta Sheriffs.

Sheriff Sgt. Karin Simmons, 52, Sheriff Adam Zasada, 57, and Sheriff Brent Roy, 44, are each facing one count of failure to provide the necessaries of life.

No other details on the man’s death have been released.

The three sheriffs were released with appearance notices and are expected in court on May 30, 2025.