Police responded to several calls for assistance around 2 a.m. Nov. 27. They arrived to find Bruce Patrick Francis lying on the floor of his parents' home, suffering from multiple stab wounds to his upper torso.

Family members said Francis was taken to the nursing station by 2:30 a.m., where he died about an hour and a half later.

RCMP Sgt. Kurt Lozinski said alcohol was a factor in the stabbing.

Six officers from Yellowknife flew into Fort McPherson Wednesday afternoon to help with the investigation.

Police quickly cordoned off the house and yard of the victim's parents, and an officer was posted outside to secure the scene.

Thursday, they charged Margaret Anne Kierstead, 40, with second degree murder.

Mother in mourning

Their mother, Rebecca Francis, 66, said if her daughter had anything to do with the stabbing, it was likely in self defence.

"I love my daughter very much and I love my son. It's a big loss to me."

She said she knows little of what transpired the night her son was killed -- she was in Inuvik at the time.

However, she did know Francis was having a party at his house and probably had too much to drink.She described her son as a helpful man who loved children, but was struggling with addiction.

"When he was sober, he was a very friendly, kind person," Rebecca said. "He was helpful wherever help was needed. He helped us and he was always around."

Francis worked at odd jobs, most recently helping the hamlet clear brush for a new ski trail. He often cut wood for his parents and he lived directly across the street from them.

Next-door neighbour Clayton Colin said it was otherwise quiet that night, and he didn't hear anything unusual.

"I'm pretty surprised because I woke up this morning and found out he'd been stabbed," Colin said Wednesday. "He was OK when he was sober, but when he was drinking he was different."

In the aftermath of the death, people gathered to console the victim's family.

Some complained that police took too long to respond.

Rebecca said her husband Amos had trouble finding help -- some people weren't answering their doors, and others weren't answering their phones. Eventually, Amos managed to phone police -- he estimates at around 1:30 a.m. He said it took about an hour before help arrived.

One of the men who also called police said he was frustrated to have to connect to a Yellowknife operator to reach local RCMP after hours. He said the operator asked several questions and then phoned back after 10 minutes to ask more questions.

"It took long," said the man, who declined to be named. "They could have been here sooner."

Sgt. Lozinski said police received three calls within minutes of each other. He said he received the first call around 2 a.m. and was out the door immediately.

Although he had to wait a few minutes for backup, he estimates it only took about five to seven minutes for him and two other officers to respond.