IQALUIT - A final coroner's report has been released on Della Ootoova's death just over a year ago and her family wants the public to know the truth.

"My mom just wants the truth to be out that it (Della's death) wasn't from alcohol," said Lena Nashook, Ootoova's younger sister. "We were pretty upset about them telling us it (the cause of death) was ethanol toxicity."

Jochebed Della Nashook Ootoova, centre in the white coat, was an interpreter at the hospital in Iqaluit. Final autopsy results were recently released in her death and her family wants the public to know the truth. - photo courtesy of Lena Nashook

Ootoova, 46,was found dead in an Iqaluit residence on June 7, 2008. An initial toxicology report at the Qikiqtani General Hospital showed she had a fatal level of alcohol in her body.

Her spouse, Amos Ootoova, 46, was charged with second-degree murder on June 9, 2008 in relation to her death but the charges were stayed the same day.

In a bizarre twist, Amos himself died Jan. 17. His common-law spouse, Susie Pewatoaluk, is charged with manslaughter in relation to his death.

Because Amos is dead, "We never got justice," said Nashook.

But at least Nashook now knows a bit more of the truth surrounding her sister's death.

The most recent coroner's report on Della's death shows a markedly lower alcohol level in Della's body: "Subsequent toxicology results showed significantly less ethanol toxicity."

The report goes on to say the autopsy showed several blunt force injuries on Ootoova's torso, face, scalp, arms and legs, plus bite marks on one of her arms and wrist.

While the injuries alone were not enough to cause her death, the autopsy also discovered an atherosclerotic lesion on the coronary artery – a condition which, when triggered by strenuous activity or stress, can cause sudden cardiac death.

"In this case, the presence of blunt force injuries indicates a possible cause of stress resulting in death as described," reads the report.

"At least we know the truth now. We finally, finally got proof of what he used to do to her," said Nashook. "We just hope it doesn't happen to any other person again, like that."

"If he hadn't beaten her up, she would still be alive 10 years or more," she added.

Nashook said out of the 21 pages of the full coroner's report, 13 pages are a list of Ootoova's injuries.

"The only question we have (is) 'Why wasn't that man in jail? Why wasn't he put in jail?'

It's our only question."