HAY RIVER - A manslaughter charge has been laid in connection with the Aug. 14 death of a Hay River man.

Brent Nixon: resident of Hay River died after what police describe as an altercation outside the Royal Canadian Legion in the early morning hours of Aug. 14. RCMP will not say where the altercation began, however. - photo courtesy of Facebook

On Tuesday, the RCMP announced the charge has been laid against Hay River resident Mark Glen Larsen, 28.

Larsen appeared in Yellowknife Territorial Court Wednesday. He was released on $2,000 bail. Judge Robert Gorin ordered him to remain in the Northwest Territories, refrain from alcohol or drugs, report to the RCMP Monday through Friday and stay out of the Hay River legion.

Larsen is next due to appear in court in Hay River on Oct. 28.

In the early morning hours of Aug. 14, police received a report of an unresponsive man outside the Royal Canadian Legion.

The man was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The RCMP identified the deceased as Brent Darrell Nixon, 50, of Hay River.

Sgt. Wayne Norris, media relations officer with the RCMP's 'G' Division, said Larsen was arrested in Hay River.

"He was charged formally and presently is in police custody," Norris said.

When asked if the Aug. 14 incident involved some kind of argument or bar fight, the officer said, "That would be accurate in the sense that obviously it was a place for socializing in the community and ... obviously some kind of altercation ensued."

Norris was reluctant to reveal much more information about the case, including why police believe a manslaughter charge is warranted and whether the altercation began inside or outside the bar.

Norris also declined to discuss whether the deceased had any visible injuries.

"I can't speak too much on the specifics for the simple fact that there is a charge and it is going before the courts," he said.

Norris also declined to reveal how many people were interviewed by police and whether there were any eyewitnesses to the altercation.

"I don't think it's appropriate for the integrity of the investigation," he said.

The Office of the Chief Coroner of the NWT has ordered a post-mortem on the body of the deceased.

Norris said the autopsy, which will take place in Edmonton, is to determine the exact medical cause of death.

The 'G' Division's Major Crimes Unit is investigating the death with assistance from the division's Forensic Identification Services and the Hay River detachment.

Police are also seeking public help in the investigation.

Nixon was a longtime Hay River resident who worked as an engineer-conductor with Canadian National Railways.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.