Dead woman's police statement not admissible in trial of alleged serial rapist

The evidence of a Calgary woman who told police she'd been kidnapped, drugged and sexually assaulted by an alleged serial rapist can not be considered at his trial because she died in tragic circumstances and can't be cross-examined.

Richard Mantha is on trial, facing 20 charges related to allegations he sexually assaulted seven women, most of whom were vulnerable sex-trade workers at the time.

One of those women, whom CBC News is calling LM in order to comply with a publication ban, died in a tragic accident in December.

CBC News is not publishing details of her death because they would identify the woman, whose identity remains protected by a publication ban.

On Friday, Justice Judith Shriar ruled the alleged victim's statement to police is not admissible because of concerns over its