No charges will be laid over ‘in-custody’ balcony death in Calgary

After a three-year investigation, Alberta Serious Indecent Response Team (ASIRT) says no charges will be laid after a woman fell from a downtown Calgary balcony while officers tried to execute a warrant.

31-year-old Stephanie Pantalone fell from a downtown Calgary balcony while officers tried to execute a warrant on June 19, 2019.

On that date, police were investigating a recent shooting, and had identified Pantalone and her boyfriend as suspects.

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Police tracked them to the apartment in Chinatown, and arrested the man early in the morning when he left the room.

However, Pantalone did not come out despite orders, according to police.

ASIRT says the investigation suggests the woman threw a loaded handgun from the balcony before she attempted to scale down, where she fell five stories and died in hospital.

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“It is unknown whether the affected person fell from the balcony after losing her grip or if she intentionally tried to jump to make good her escape,” said ASIRT.

ASIRT adds the investigation was backed up by testimony from a pair of witnesses at the scene.

Pantalone’s family expressed frustration at how long the investigation was taking.