Witnesses being sought after woman required medical assistance following release from custody

The Independant Investigations Office of BC (IIO) is looking to see if there was any wrongdoing by RCMP officers in Port Hardy after a woman was released from custody and discovered hours later in need of medical assistance. 

The incident happened on April 9, when the woman was arrested and placed in police cells, before being released in the early morning hours on April 10. 

The woman was then found a few hours later near the intersection of Douglas and Rupert streets in medical distress. 

She was transported to the hospital and found to be in critical condition. 

IIO investigators are now searching for anyone who may have seen the affected person between the hours of 3:00 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. on April 10. 

The woman is described as an Indigenous woman in their mid-20’s, 5’1, with a medium build and has red hair. 

The IIO is looking to see if there was an injury that meets the threshold of serious harm defined by the Police Act and if it was because of police action or inaction. 

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the IIO.