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THEBACHA/FORT SMITH
A middle-aged woman has been discovered dead in Fort Smith.

A community member found the body of the 53-year-old aboriginal woman on Wren Crescent at about 1:55 p.m. on Jan. 2.

"At this time, the cause of death hasn't been determined," said Cpl. Barry Ledoux, a spokesperson for the RCMP's G Division in Yellowknife, on Jan. 3. "Foul play is not suspected, and the investigation is now assisting the chief coroner of the Northwest Territories."

The police are not releasing the identity of the deceased woman at the request of her family.

Ledoux said the woman's body was found outdoors, but it has not been determined how long the body was there before being discovered.

"She was not reported missing," the officer noted.

Cathy Menard, the chief coroner of the NWT, has ordered an autopsy in Edmonton to determine the cause of the woman's death.

Salt River First Nation Chief David Poitras described her death as a "real tragedy."

"It's going to be really hard on the community," Poitras said, noting everyone in the First Nation knew the deceased woman.

Although exposure to the elements has not been determined as the cause of death, both Menard and Ledoux are cautioning people to take care when out in the cold weather.

"We are advising people to be careful and to dress appropriately for weather conditions," said Menard, adding cold exposure is one possible cause of the woman's death.

"Given that she was found out in the elements and from the investigation on the scene, it is a possibility that's what happened to her, but there are other possibilities as well, and that's why we've ordered a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death," the chief coroner said.

Ledoux said the RCMP is advising the general public to take all necessary precautions while outdoors.

Death by exposure to the cold has happened many times in the NWT.

According to a 10-year report recently released by Menard, 28 people in the NWT died from cold exposure in the period from 2001-2010.

Menard noted there were also two deaths from cold exposure in 2011 and three more in 2012, plus a fourth death late last year is being investigated as possibly being caused by exposure to the cold.

While alcohol has not been determined to have been a factor in the Fort Smith woman's death, Menard noted alcohol use puts people in more danger from cold exposure.

"I would say it makes them more high risk, because you think you're OK when you're out in the elements," she said. "You think the walk might do you good."

People using alcohol may make riskier choices, use poor judgment, not dress appropriately and get disoriented, Menard added. "Unfortunately, it happens far too often in the North. That we've seen over many years."

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