CamBay man, 22, charged with 2nd-degree murder

CAMBRIDGE BAY — A young man faces a charge of second-degree murder last week after the discovery of a young woman’s body in Cambridge Bay Feb. 6, Sgt. Charlies Gauthier of the Cambridge Bay detachment said Feb. 14.

Alistair Nakashook, 22, is now held in remand in Iqaluit, Gauthier confirmed.

The Nunavut RCMP’s major crimes unit is still in Cambridge Bay investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Desery Panaktak, 19.

Cambridge Bay has not seen a violent death leading to a murder charge in more than a year and a half, Gauthier said.

Pending the results of the investigation, Gauthier would only say that alcohol was involved in the incident.

After the import ban of alcohol into Cambridge Bay imposed during the holiday season was lifted early in 2011, alcohol began flowing into the community in large amounts, starting with a delivery of 4,000 pounds of alcohol on a single day in January.

During the ban, Cambridge Bay was quiet, Gauthier said.

“If it wasn’t for alcohol, two scouts and a whistle” could police the town of 1,500, he said.