Nunavut man, 29, dies inside Cape Dorset RCMP holding cell

Another tragedy struck Cape Dorset in the early morning hours of May 20, when a 29-year-old man was found dead inside an RCMP holding cell. (FILE PHOTO)

A 29-year-old man has died while in police custody at the Cape Dorset RCMP detachment, a May 20 release from the Nunavut RCMP said.

Police said they arrested the man, who was not identified in the release, on the evening of May 19 after responding to a call about “an intoxicated male and an assault.”

The man “was cooperative and lodged in RCMP cells without incident,” police said.

“In the early morning hours of May 20, the male was found unresponsive in the holding cell and later pronounced deceased.”

The cause of the man’s death has not been determined yet, the release said, but Nunavut’s chief coroner is investigating the cause.

And the Ottawa Police Services has been called in to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death — standard procedure for Nunavut RCMP when an in-custody death occurs.

According to the Nunavut Coroner’s Act, an inquest is mandatory for all deaths of people held in police or state custody.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and community during this difficult time,” police said May 20.

Police said no other information can be released at this time because of the OPS’ investigation.

“Enquiries related to the Ottawa Police Service’s review of this matter should be directed to their media relations office at 613-236-1222 ext 5366,” the release said.