Dead inmate identified as Rothesay murder suspect

Police have identified the inmate who died at the Saint John Regional Correctional Centre earlier this week as a Rothesay man who was facing a second-degree murder charge in the death of his common-law wife.

Adam Lee Steven Prest, 39, was accused of killing Tanya Marie Shand, 33, on May 22.

Prest, who is originally from Dartmouth, N.S., had not entered a plea. He was charged on May 23 and was being held at the jail until he could hire a lawyer and return to court onJune 10.

On Tuesday, emergency responders were called to the jail on Old Black River Road at about 1:20 p.m. after Prest had been found unresponsive in his cell.

The Saint John Police Force's major crime unit investigated Prest's death, Sgt. Jay Henderson said in a statement.

"The investigation determined that no foul play was present and no criminal offences occurred," he said.

No details about the cause of death have been released.

Police are directing any further inquiries to the Department of Public Safety, which oversees the province's jails.

Department officials could not be reached on Wednesday for comment.

Shand's body was found in the apartment she shared with Prest at 134 Dolan Rd. in Rothesay.Police had said she was the victim of a domestic homicide.