Cambridge Bay (Aug 28/06) - A 42-year-old Cambridge Bay man is in custody in Iqaluit facing a charge of manslaughter.

Willie Oakoak was arrested in his hometown on Aug. 18.

Tommy Egotak, 44, also of Cambridge Bay, died after visiting Oakoak's home Aug. 18, said RCMP Cpl. Randy Slawson.

An autopsy was conducted in Iqaluit Aug. 21. It isn't clear why Egotak was at Oakoak's home.

Oakoak was denied bail during an appearance in an Iqaluit court, Wednesday. At the time of Egotak's death, Oakoak was out on bail stemming from a sexual assault charge dating back to October 2003. He was to stand trial on that charge Nov. 14. His next appearance in Nunavut Court of Justice is Oct. 31.

The judge placed a publication ban on evidence in the case.

Cambridge Bay resident Harry Maksagak said Egotak's death and other recent "preventable deaths" have taken their toll on the community of 1,500.

"The community is kind of numb from the string of events that has happened in the last little while," he said.

Maksagak used to work with Egotak, and while the two were not close, Maksagak said Egotak "was a fairly quiet man" but "when he spoke you knew he was there."

- with files from Kent Driscoll