Officers provide insight at inquest looking into death of London woman in police custody

CTV London’s Nick Paparella as the provincial inquest continues into the 2019 police custody death of Amanda Bolt.

A coroner’s inquest heard evidence from the officer who was booking Amanda Bolt in the London police cells on Nov. 2, 2019, after she was arrested for property damage.

Sgt. Luanne Devine had dealt with Bolt in the past, saying, “I had familiarity with Ms. Bolt. I knew she abused street drugs but wasn’t aware of the heart condition until the booking.”

The jury heard Bolt told Devine she had a heart attack once before during a previous arrest and that she was on medication.

The officer said, “I think looking back in hindsight, I should have asked a lot more questions about that.”

Bolt, who was arrested twice in the same day, was held overnight in a cell and was later found to be in medical distress.

She was rushed to Victoria Hospital in London where she died 10 days later from cardiac arrest.

The inquest, which is being live streamed, has heard that Bolt had a troubling childhood in foster care and developed addictions to drugs and alcohol along with her medical complications.

Earlier in the day, Staff Sgt. Anthea Fordyce told the jury when working in the cell block area, “You’re seeing people who have the most tragic lifestyles.”

She said London police are constantly reviewing and updating procedures when it comes to those arrested with addictions and health issues, “We are looking at working with community partners to have medical oversight within the cell block.”

The inquest looking into the death of Bolt is expected to last five more days.