A 30-year-old man died while in the Penticton RCMP cell block last week.

The man was arrested last Thursday as a result of a disturbance complaint and refusal to leave a Penticton residence.

The RCMP say prior to his court appearance a day after being apprehended, he was found unresponsive in his cell and was pronounced dead.

An independent investigation has been requested, which will be handled by the Saanich Police Department.

The B.C. Coroner Service is looking into the man's cause of death.

Anita Sthankiya -Penticton