A 49-year-old woman has died in police custody at a Brisbane watchhouse on Thursday morning. The cause of death is not known publicly at this stage.
The woman, arrested on Sunday, faced the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday. She was being held on remand until the 7th of October, pending transfer to a correctional centre.
Debbie Kilroy, Founder of Sisters Inside and advocate for women in the criminal justice system, told NITV News she has grave concerns for the women still being held in the watch house, and will travel there to support them.
"I have grave concerns for them in there, they must be traumatised," said Ms Kilroy. "Enough is enough! We must stop the criminalisation of society's marginalised women. The women who are disadvantaged, homeless and abused. Prison as a solution must end."
Ms Kilroy is calling for an independent investigation into the death, which will be undertaken by the Ethical Standards Command and overseen by the Office of the State Coroner along with the Crime and Corruption Commission.
"This will be another case of Police investigating Police and finding no one at fault. We need a thorough and independent investigation."
Members of the Murri Watch Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation are offering cultural support for those impacted.
Murri Watch CEO Ken Georgetown said he was incredibly saddened to hear the news.
"It's terrible news to hear and a real shame," said Mr Georgetown. "We are here to assist any way we can, and we offer our sincere condolences to the family."
