A Spruce Grove man, charged with first degree murder in the death of his wife, allegedly escaped custody at the University of Alberta Hospital for nearly five hours overnight.
Solicitor General Jonathan Denis said in a press conference Wednesday that at about 9 p.m., Christopher Nagel, 36, asked the correctional officer monitoring him to go to the washroom, his restraints were removed, and he went to use the facilities alone.
A few minutes later, the corrections officer checked on the inmate, and he was gone – Denis said he escaped via a second door in the washroom – U of A hospital security, the Edmonton Police Service and officials at the Edmonton Remand Centre were notified.
The hospital was searched, and the inmate was found hiding on the fifth floor of the hospital at 2:15 a.m. Wednesday.
Denis said Edmonton police said a charge of escape lawful custody is pending.
The Solicitor General said he had ordered an investigation into the escape. Results from the investigation are expected next week.
“I know you are looking for answers into how this exactly could have happened, and what could be done to ensure it doesn’t happen again, so am I,” Denis said
The province also apologized for the incident.
“This inmate should not have been allowed to escape from the correctional officers, period,” Denis said.
“This simply should not have happened.”
Nagel was due to make his first appearance in a Stony Plain courtroom Wednesday, charged with first degree murder in the death of his wife – his next court appearance has been scheduled for May 21.
Denis said Nagel remains in hospital under increased guard, and once he’s medically cleared, he will be moved to provincial correctional facilities.
Rienna Nagel was found dead inside her Spruce Grove home early Saturday morning.
