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Iqaluit man accused of killing uncle Casey Lessard Northern News Services Published Monday, February 6, 2012
Alec Petooloosie was arrested Jan. 28 and charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of Mathew Petooloosie, who was found dead in his 300-block apartment at 3 a.m. on Dec. 12, 2011. He was 36. "It was a very extensive investigation," RCMP Chief Supt. Steve McVarnock said at a Jan. 31 news conference. "It utilized a lot of resources, both from within Nunavut and down south (Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta) for support." The Nunavut Court of Justice already had an open file on Alec Petooloosie, who was accused of assault causing bodily harm against a woman in August 2010. That case had not been resolved when he was charged with manslaughter. The police are not releasing many details about Mathew Petooloosie's death, but told Nunavut News/North Jan. 17 that it was investigating the death as intentional. "We examined the scene for approximately three days and based on evidence at the scene and from witnesses, and the autopsy results, we're investigating this as a homicide," major crime unit investigator Const. Rob Daley said before the arrest. "We are awaiting several things from the lab, particularly toxicology results to determine what our next step is." Daley would neither release a timeline of Mathew Petooloosie's final hours, nor identify the cause of death. "That's information we do know, but are not willing to release to the public right now," he said Jan. 17. "Some of these things are important to protect the investigation." The victim was a single man living in a one-bedroom apartment in the city's core. He made a living selling his carvings at local establishments, Daley said. "He was a fairly decent carver," he said. "He often could be seen at the Frobisher and the Nova selling his artwork. From information from our investigation, he was carving up until his death." Mathew Petooloosie was one of nine homicide victims in Nunavut in 2011. "That is obviously a very significant number for a small territory," McVarnock said Jan. 31. Alec Petooloosie remains in jail and his next court date is Feb. 7 in Iqaluit. - with files from Jeanne Gagnon
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