The RCMP Southeast District Major Crimes Unit is investigating the death of 61 year old Creston resident Marvin Gene Asmunt. Mr. Asmunt passed away on September 18th, 2009 at the Creston Hospital. The RCMP have commenced an investigation to determine what connection, if any, there is to the death of Mr. Asmunt on September 18th and his time in police custody on September 7, 2009. Mr Asmunt death is being classified as an "in custody death".

“Mr Asmunt passed away while in hospital care at the Creston Hospital on September 18, 2009, 11 days after being in police custody on September 7, 2009 at the Creston RCMP Detachment. The Creston RCMP Detachment was made aware of Mr Asmunts death by the BC Coroners Service on September 19th, 2009, at which time the RCMP investigation was initiated,”stated Cpl Dan Moskaluk.

On September 7, 2009 at about 5:27 pm Creston RCMP responded to a public complaint of an intoxicated male in an alley on the 1400 block of Vancouver Street in Creston. As a result of the complaint, Mr. Asmunt was arrested under authority of the Liquor Control and Licensing Act for being intoxicated in a public place and taken into custody at the Creston RCMP Detachment. During his brief time in custody, Mr. Asmunt fell and sustained a head injury, while a RCMP officer was present. He was immediately transported to the Creston Hospital around 6:05 p.m. and released from hospital the morning of September 8th.

On September 9th, 2009, Mr Asmunt was re-admitted to the Creston Hospital and released that same day. On September 13th, Mr Asmunt was again admitted to Creston Hospital and then transferred to Cranbrook Hospital for further medical care. After receiving medical care, he was returned to the Creston Hospital where he passed away on September 18th.

“On September 22nd, a forensic autopsy was conducted in Penticton which revealed the preliminary cause of death as “bilateral pneumonia secondary to a closed head injury. The above details of the preliminary cause of death is being released at this time by the RCMP in consultation with the BC Coroners Service. Both the RCMP and BC Coroners Service are awaiting the complete Post Mortum Forensic Pathologist’s report in order to be in a position to provide further details regarding the determination of cause of death.

Both the RCMP investigation along with the BC Coroners investigation, will examine all aspects of the death of Mr Asmunt. A complete and thorough investigation is being conducted in order to gather all of the contributing factors which lead to his death,”added Cpl. Dan Moskaluk.

RCMP investigators are interested in speaking with anyone who had contact with Mr Asmunt in the days prior to September 7th 2009 up to the date of his passing on September 18th, 2009. Persons with such information are asked to contact the Creston RCMP Detachment at 250-250-428-9313 or for those who wish to remain anonymous via Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Released by

Cpl. Dan Moskaluk
Senior Media Relations Officer
South East and North District
170 -395 Penno Road, Kelowna BC V1X-7W5
Office: (250) 863-7433
Cell: (250) 863-7433
Fax: (250) 491-2381
Email: dan.moskaluk@rcmp-grc.gc.ca