Inmate dead after assault at the Edmonton Remand Centre: police

The Edmonton Police Service is investigating the death of an inmate at the Edmonton Remand Centre.

Police were called by remand centre staff at 3:05 p.m. on Wednesday for an assault involving two inmates.

Nathaniel Burchat, 26, was injured in the assault and was taken to hospital where he died.

An autopsy performed Thursday found Burchat died as a result of a blunt head injury and the manner of death is a homicide.

The other inmate remains in custody and charges are pending.

When reached for comment on Thursday morning, the province said Burchat had died as a result of an "incident" at the centre.

"The safety of those in custody is Alberta Correctional Services’ top priority. Our sympathies are with those close to the deceased," Sheena Campbell of the ministry of public safety and emergency services wrote in an email to CTV News Edmonton.

Campbell said a board of inquiry will be convened to review the death.