Nunavut coroner calls another inquest, for Hall Beach

Nunavut’s chief coroner has scheduled another mandatory inquest for 2016.

This inquest will focus on the 2013 in-custody death of Tommy Anguilianuk of Hall Beach, said a Jan. 27 news release from coroner Padma Suramala.

The inquest into the death of Anguilianuk — who was arrested by police Jan. 20, 2013, escaped custody and then found dead by police on Jan. 21, 2013 — will be held in Hall Beach from May 2 to May 6, the release said.

Across Canada, when someone dies in police or government custody, it’s mandatory to hold a coroner’s inquest to determine the circumstances surrounding such a death.

Earlier this month, Suramala announced that her office would hold a mandatory inquest in Igloolik in November.

That inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding the 2012 shooting death of Felix Taqqaugaq.

Taqqaugaq was known to have a history of mental illness.

His sister, Elizabeth Kappaniaq, told Nunatsiaq News last October that she had an agreement with local police whereby police would call her whenever they were dealing with her brother.

But that didn’t happen on the day police shot and killed Taqqaugaq.

Anyone with information or wishing to participate in either inquest can call Suramala’s office at 867-975-6318.