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Arrest made in woman's death
Daniel Campbell
Northern News Services
Published Friday, July 12, 2013
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Yellowknife RCMP has made an arrest in connection with the death of Yvonne Desjarlais, who was found dead in a downtown alley last December.
After what the RCMP call a lengthy investigation, the arrest was made Thursday morning. RCMP spokesperson Barry Ledoux said police are unable to release the name, age or sex of the accused at this time, or even whether charges have been filed, as the investigation is ongoing.
The RCMP described Desjarlais' death in a news release Thursday afternoon as a murder. RCMP expect to provide an update on the arrest this morning.
Sixty-three-year-old Desjarlais was found dead in a downtown alley near Franklin Avenue and 53 Street on the morning of Dec. 30.
Desjarlais struggled with addiction and was trying to get to her hometown of Lutsel K'e just two days before her death.
A family member who wished to remain anonymous says she was refused on board a flight by airline staff because she was intoxicated.
She was described as a kind and loving soul, who fell into a cycle of drinking on the streets and living in shelters once she left her dry community of Lutsel K'e. Desjarlais was also a victim of the residential school system as a child.
A large extended family, both in Yellowknife and Lutsel K'e
are left behind by Desjarlais, including several children and one grandchild.
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