Woman dies in Kugluktuk
Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services
Kugluktuk (Jan 08/01) - Alcohol is believed to have contributed to the death of a 55-year-old woman on Christmas Day.
RCMP were called to a residence when the owner found Mona Kamidlak on the floor. She was dead when police arrived. Foul play is not expected.
Const. Todd Gray of the Kugluktuk RCMP detachment said they were still waiting on an autopsy report to confirm the cause of death, but police are fairly certain it was alcohol-related.
"We don't know the exact cause of death, but from our preliminary investigation, it looks like she was out drinking and may have fallen asleep and asphyxiated on her vomit," said Gray.
On New Year's Eve, police had a different kind of problem on their hand.
Const. Warren Gauthier said at least 23 youths broke into the Northern Store three different times on Dec. 31. More suspects could be arrested.
"They took an axe to the door," said Gauthier.
"It looks like a main group of kids broke in and once it was open, all the other kids came along and helped themselves," he said.
Reported stolen was pop, chips, cigarettes, Nintendo systems, skates and one guitar. Gauthier said most of the larger items have been returned.
On another matter, Gauthier said police arrested a 20-year-old Kugluktuk resident in Cambridge Bay on Dec. 26.
The man was arrested after an undisclosed amount of money was stolen from a safe at the Kugluktuk Co-op.
The suspect has been charged with break and enter, public mischief, breach of probation and fail to appear.
He will appear in court in Iqaluit on Jan. 9.
