Iqaluit assault charge raised to second degree murder

Pitseolak Peter, 50, of Iqaluit, now faces a charge of second degree murder in connection with the death of a woman in an Ottawa hospital last month, this week’s Nunavut Court of Justice docket reveals.

Police arrested Pitseolak Feb. 3 at an Iqaluit residence where they also found a badly beaten woman. He was charged with aggravated assault and breach of probation.

The woman, Kathy Michael, suffered “severe head injuries” and was medevaced to an Ottawa hospital, police said at the time.

On Feb. 19, sources confirmed that Michael died of her injuries.

The adult criminal court docket for March 5 shows Pitseolak was scheduled to make a first appearance on a charge of murder under section 235 (1) of the Criminal Code.