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Man found dead in Behchoko

Andrew Livingstone
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, March 25, 2009

BEHCHOKO/RAE-EDZO - A vote scheduled for April 15 in the community of Behchoko to possibly ban liquor in the community outright is now front and center after the death of a young man two weeks ago.

The community was struck with tragedy on March 19 when the body of Scott Franki, 28, was found on the step of a home in the 700 district of the community.

Temperatures the night before were –39 C with the wind chill.

Corp. Maria Williams of the Behchoko detachment said they have yet to determine his destination or who he was with that night.

“The investigation is on going and there are still details we need to determine,” she said.

Police said the man likely passed out in deep snow in the yard outside the home. He then woke up, stripped off some of his clothes and climbed a stairwell searching for help before collapsing a final time, according to police. The removal of his clothing could have been due to confusion caused by hypothermia according to the RCMP.

“They found his clothing in the ditch near the house and found the male on the front step of the house,” she said. “He was pronounced dead on the scene.”

Joe Beaverho, member of the Tlicho Community Service Agency, said full prohibition in the community could work if the community gets behind the idea and supports it.

“There are a number of people who are saying that we’ve gone through (liquor prohibition) and it never worked while others are saying it’s time we stop having liquor coming into the community,” he said. “It is definitely an issue. The reason why people say it may not work is because we’re not getting support from the community or the parents. That is the support we need. We’re going to reduce the abuse not in a year but down the road. People need to support the idea for it to work.”

Hypothermia is a possible cause of death Williams said and they will have to wait six to eight weeks for toxicology reports to determine if alcohol was involved.

“When you’re at extreme hypothermia you tend to disrobe because you think you are hot so you are trying to cool off the body. It’s a very good chance hypothermia had set in.”

Frankie’s body was sent to Edmonton Tuesday for an autopsy. Another media outlet confirmed with friends of Franki’s that he had in fact been drinking that evening.

Williams said she couldn’t speak directly to the possible alcohol ban vote scheduled for mid-April but said raising awareness is crucial after something like this.

I think people should be aware, even if it’s a dry community or not, people need to know that alcohol can have this side effect and people need to be cognizant of people leaving your home if you are having a party to make sure they get home safely.”

It’s the third time in two years the community has been devastated by the loss of someone due to exposure to cold weather.

In October 2007, police discovered the body of Francis Chinkon, 44, under the front steps of a Behchoko home. Chinkon was found Oct. 15, 2007 behind some wooden garbage containers located in Whague which is on the north edge of Rae. He had taken off his outer clothing, his shirt, his undershirt and his necklace, typical of hypothermia.

Williams said they are trying to raise awareness in the community about the risk of being exposed to the cold while intoxicated.

“We want people to be conscious that if you’re going out in the cold that you’re prepared for the weather,” she said. “If you’re going from point A to point B and it’s late at night and no one is around, let someone know where you are going so they can make sure you got there.

“We want safer homes and a safer community.”