Inmate serving life sentence dies at Vancouver Island prison

An inmate serving a life sentence at a federal prison on Vancouver Island has died while in custody, according to Correctional Service Canada.

In a media release, the agency said Christopher Michael Tyler died on March 4th at William Head Institution in Metchosin.

He was 63 years old and his death is believed to have been from natural causes.

Tyler had been serving a life sentence since September 26th, 1994 for second-degree murder.

He was also convicted of two counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, possession of property obtained by crime, driving while impaired and unlawfully at large.

He has been eligible for day parole since September 11th, 2001 and for full parole since September 11th, 2004.

According to Brenda Kanzig, assistant warden management services at William Head Institution, Tyler never applied for either.

Tyler died this week after serving nearly 32 years in custody.

As in all cases involving the death of an inmate, Correctional Service Canada said it will review the circumstances surrounding the death. Police and the BC Coroners Service have also been notified, as required by policy.

William Head Institution is a minimum-security federal correctional facility located in Metchosin on Vancouver Island that houses male offenders, including many serving life sentences.