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TETLIT'ZHEH/FORT MCPHERSON - An 82-year-old Fort McPherson elder who was assaulted on Dec. 7 and has been hospitalized ever since at the Inuvik Regional Hospital, died there last week.

An autopsy was conducted on the victim John Simon on Wednesday, but those results aren't expected to be released for at least two weeks, and the police are not disclosing details of the assault or the man's injuries.

The assault occurred at the victim's home in the community.

Since then, Johnny Jeffery Simon, the deceased's 28-year-old grandson, has been in custody charged with aggravated assault. Sgt. Chris Culhane of the Fort McPherson RCMP detachment said the accused was "known to the police."

Since Thursday, three investigators from Yellowknife RCMP's Major Crimes Unit have been in Fort McPherson.

Andrew Ing, head of the unit, said the investigation would hinge on the autopsy results.

"Based on those results we'll actually know where our investigation is heading," said Ing. "No charges have been laid yet."

If the results show that the elder died of the injuries sustained in the December assault, Ing said a murder charge will be considered.

Chief Wilbert Firth, of the Fort McPherson Tetlit Gwich'in Council, said the victim was a well respected Second World War veteran.

Firth said Simon had problems with his grandson and had him locked out of his home.

Firth added the elder endured several family tragedies, including the murder of his wife "and the killings of his two other children."

A deeply devoted Christian, the veteran contributed bible quotations for the quarterly community newsletters. He served as the justice of the peace in Fort McPherson as well as the school janitor

The community is planning a traditional burial for Simon.