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An RCMP investigator examines the area in Iqaluit's cemetery where the body of a man was found alongside a shotgun Tuesday, June 7, 2011. (Nunatsiaq News-Chris Windeyer) An RCMP investigator examines the area in Iqaluit's cemetery where the body of a man was found alongside a shotgun Tuesday, June 7, 2011. (Nunatsiaq News-Chris Windeyer) Nunavut

Two children among four found dead in Iqaluit

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CTV News Video

CTV News Channel: Madeline Redfern, mayor
The mayor of Iqaluit talks about the social challenges her community is facing, as well as how people are responding to the four bodies that were found in the region.
CTV News Channel: Ken Driscoll, APTN
A reporter with APTN in Iqaluit says there are a number of theories circulating around the community where four bodies were discovered about what happened to the family.

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An RCMP investigator examines the area in Iqaluit's cemetery where the body of a man was found alongside a shotgun Tuesday, June 7, 2011. (Nunatsiaq News-Chris Windeyer) An RCMP investigator examines the area in Iqaluit's cemetery where the body of a man was found alongside a shotgun Tuesday, June 7, 2011. (Nunatsiaq News-Chris Windeyer) Nunavut

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An RCMP investigator examines the area in Iqaluit's cemetery where the body of a man was found alongside a shotgun Tuesday, June 7, 2011. (Nunatsiaq News-Chris Windeyer)

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Date: Wed. Jun. 8 2011 9:17 PM ET

The northern community of Iqaluit is in mourning following the discovery of four dead people, including two children, the town's mayor said Wednesday.

The tragic discovery came a day earlier, when police were called to a local cemetery and found a man's body. Residents near the cemetery had spotted an unoccupied truck with the engine still running.

At the grave site, police found a man with a gunshot wound that appeared to be self-inflicted, and three other bodies were found at his nearby home, APTN's Kent Driscoll reported.

Driscoll said that all of the deceased are members of the same family, who are known in the community. However, police are not releasing the names, Driscoll added.

Iqaluit Mayor Madeleine Redfern, who was in Ottawa Tuesday, told CTV News Channel that the town is in shock over what happened.

"At this point in time, our community is trying to grapple with what happened," she said, adding that up to 20 people have killed themselves in Nunavut this year alone.

RCMP Sgt. Jimmy Akavak said that two children were among the deceased found in the Iqaluit residence.

Police said a woman was also found deceased in the home. The deaths remain under investigation.

"We are treating it as a suspicious death and we believe it is an isolated incident," Akavak told The Canadian Press.

"There was a long rifle found near the deceased male and we believe that the four deceased persons are ... connected.

"All I can say is that it is a family -- an adult male, female and two children."

Some media reports said that one of the deceased children attended Joamie Ilinniarvik School, where classes were cancelled on Wednesday. A person who answered the phone at the school said she could not provide any information about the deaths but said the school was still open.

Akavak said the man found dead in the cemetery is believed to be in his 40s. He also said police are still trying to get in touch with family members of the deceased.

It is not yet clear when police will be able to release their identities. According to Akavak, police are not looking for suspects in the case and do not believe the community is in any danger.

Police are holding a press conference Thursday at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Iqaluit is the largest city in Nunavut with its official website reporting a population of more than 7,250 people.

Comments are now closed for this story

Joe Spumolio
said

Technically a hamlet is a group of dwellings that don't abut church property. For example, a small community built around a mill would have been considered a hamlet. When the population grew to the size where it could support a church and one was built, it became a village. Iqaluit isn't a hamlet because of the 3 churches located there. Still, these kinds of family tragedies happen every day, somewhere in the world. Stop trying to paint this as a northern issue or a failing of the government. My wife and I witnessed a horrific accident on the 401 about 25 years ago. It turned out it was a man doing the same thing to his family. Stuff happens. Stop politicizing personal tragedies. It's really...pathetic.


steven katona
said

eh harper all you know about is money eh? now bare witness to canada's human capital. now you take a pause in your day to fathom the complexities of our northern communities. now you bare witness to your canada. harpers canada. fix it harper. fix it now!


Owen
said

It is sad when something like this happens of course. We all wonder how it could be have been prevented or have seen the signs. This has happened all over Canada at one time or another. It just so happens that when your in an isolated place the odds of this happening (per capita) increases.And like RC said, it is a tough one to fix, no matter where you live.


Qaujimangi
said

What is with people these days, simply stupid! What outrageous thoughts in the midths of a crisis within families...


RC
said

Where is it?....what a useless distraction from this sad tragedy! People getting into blog ego contests over who is right?

Things many Northern communities have in common is isolation, extremely high cost of living, increased darkness most of winter and unfornately alcohol (nothing else to do). Tough one to fix and I doubt this incident will prompt any solutions.


Jill
said

OMG, this was a family in trouble. Obviously there must have been warning signs and no one took the time to see if they could help. Who cares where the town was! They are Canadians the same as you and me! Instead of bickering about trivial's, look around at your neighbours maybe there is someone who needs your help. I'm shocked at how mean spirited our society has become. We're all in this together folks.


TLC
said

I am saddened by most of the comments here ... 4 people lost their lives ... a community is in mourning ... shift your focus folks.
I am truly sorry for your loss. May God's peace come upon all those affected.


TomPatty
said

My SIL is a social worker who worked in this area. Its called isolation...and the people don't really want any help. They try to educated the natives, but they refuse.
Its a very sad story and all too common.
Needless to say, she signed a 1 year contract and only lasted 9 months.


lily
said

My my some of you are downright embarrassing. Shame on those who focus on the "where" not the content of the story. First, my heart, thoughts and prayers go out to all in that community as I am sure everyone knows everyone and this will be incredibly hard for them as a "hamlet" "town" "community" (whatever!) to overcome. As someone suggested, if you don't know, google it. Lordy, it can be embarrassing when your fellow citizen's are so incredibly THICK. May the people of IQALUIT band together and stay strong.


CW BURNER
said

terrible tragic, some times people need a place to reach out to, people that seem to function well to most everyone , someone that may not be close, as they don,t want to burden there friends and family, like out reach centers,crisis lines, we all know people that suffer inside. they often try there best,Oh yea, to some people a place like calgary is a small town


BUD
said

Let's show a little respect here. This is a sad situation and my heart goes out to the whole community. God Bless


Rosco
said

This is a tragic story.People living in small towns are very close to one another.The news the police has released is stark and very little to go on.Depression is still very big in the North!



Prof. Pye Chartt
said

@ Frank Mottl: Give it a rest. (Capitalism?! Yikes.) This could be a "common" murder-suicide situation that has nothing to do with anything beyond the specific troubles of a family and/or the mental health of one particular individual member. (Isn't this story the current "lead" on the website of CTV, a major Canadian news broadcaster?)


Beth
said

The story is about an entire family having lost their lives and all you people can comment on is someone asking where the city is? Seriously?

Bigger picture, folks. Bigger picture.


reifd
said

With 4 people dead, how can there be so much useless, trivial babbling about hamlets, capitals, etc? Wake up people.


Gary
said

Iqaluit is what was known as Frobisher Bay..I use to live their and currently have a daughter living there...Needless to say I was concerned when I saw this article..Lot's of suicides due to alcohol.


Frank Mottl
said

A whole Canadian family has been murdered it would seem. If it happened in downtown Vancouver, it would be all over the news.
Canadian society should be asking itself why some people count more than others? Social status? Social class? Skin colour? Does capitalism have something to do with our poor attitude?
Just a thought...


Rick
said

This story is a sad one about 4 people, 2 of them kids, found dead...and all most of you can talk about is Island Girl calling Iqaluit a hamlet. Well I couldn't help but comment. I don't think she was far off. We call it a city cause it's the capital, but it's more of a town. Our population is only around 6000. So chill out, and really....who cares if it's a city, town or hamlet? Four people died!


deb
said

oh my now I look like I don't know what I'm talking about ha ha. I meant NUNAVUT of course thanks to the post that pointed this out ha ha


George
said

@Lana @deb It has a population of 6000 people and is pretty isolated so calm down, just because it's the capital doesn't mean a thing, what did you want the editor to write? Metropolitan? City? The big Apple?


Prof. Pye Chartt
said

@ island girl: Don't feel bad. I'm willing to bet that most adult Canadians couldn't point to Nunavut on a map, never mind know where Iqaluit is.


boardhead
said

The population of Iqaluit is 6180. So yes, this is a hamlet.


Pandora
said

Island Girl: Iqaluit is not a hamlet. It is a city and the capital of Nunavut. I'm sure the news outlets assume all Canadians are aware of the names of our provincial and territorial capitals?


Lana
said

Um, Iqaluit is hardly a hamlet...it's the capital of Nunavut.


deb
said

Iqaluit is the capital of Inuvik ........... hmmmmmI wouldn't really say it is a small unknown hamlet :)


Glen
said

Iqaluit is a beautiful place, sad story with so many questions. For those of us who read this on the net, and now wonder where it is use google map or such-it's as easy as reading this story!


The Dude
said

island girl, Iqaluit is the Capital of Nunavut. It would be the reference for every hamlet or town in Nunavut


Megan
said

To island girl:This is the capital of Nunavut, and one of, if not the biggest, city in Nunavut. This city is most certainly not some little hamlet in the middle of nowhere.


Val
said

@islandgirl...Iqaluit is the capital of Nunavut ....once was called Frobisher Bay.


Melissa
said

Islandgirl, if you knew anything about geography, you'd know that Iqaluit is actually the capital of the Canadian territory of Nunavut. As it is extremely far north, there are no "close towns", and if you haven't heard of Iqaluit, you wouldn't have heard of them anyway.


Mike in ON
said

Uhh, Island Girl? Iqaluit is the capital city of Nunavut, and is located on Baffin Island. Far from a 'hamlet,' as you call it. You're correct - no one would know every little dot on the map...but knowing the capital cities of the countries provinces and territories really isn't too much to ask.


Jay
said

Iqaluit is the Capitol of Nunavut. Where did you go to school?


gerald
said

@ island girl..google it


Thomas
said

Sad, so sad. I know not what is going on here but, I know this, incidents such as this are on the rise, not because we are now able to hear/read about them quicker and more fluent, they are simply on the rise, do to a world that is going mad I suspect.


island girl
said

Where is Iqaluit? Maybe a brief description as to the proximity of the nearest large town might help. I hate news stories like this that assume you know every hamlet in Canada. (Assuming this is in Canada....)


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