RCMP issues plea for information on Iqaluit woman's death

Blood, dope, and lethal violence: aside from that, it was just another weekend in Iqaluit.

As of Nunatsiaq News press-time this week, members of the Iqaluit RCMP detachment were still sifting through the wreckage produced by Iqaluit's latest bout of weekend mayhem.

That includes the "suspicious death" of Daisy Curley, 33. Police found her body at house 1631 in Happy Valley just before 2 p.m. last Sunday, May 24, after responding to a call.

In that incident, police are seeking information from the public that might help them investigate how she died.

House 1631 is the home of Ookalik Curley, a life-long Iqaluit resident who once served as Iqaluit's director of social services and then as deputy senior administrative officer for the City of Iqaluit.

As of Nunatsiaq News press deadline this week, police were saying nothing about who found the woman, what caused her death, or whether she was a homicide victim.

Two RCMP members guarding the area this past Monday said nothing about why they were there or what happened last weekend inside the two-story home in Happy Valley.

However, Sgt. Peter Pilgrim told Iqaluit City Council this past Tuesday that "no arrest" has been made in the case, which indicates police believe someone is responsible for causing Daisy Curley's death.

Pilgrim said police have sent the woman's body south to be examined by a pathologist and will not issue any conclusions about her suspicious death until they have received the results of that examination.

Police used yellow tape to cordon off a wide area around house 1631, which sits at an intersection formed by two streets in Happy Valley. As of the morning of May 27, the two roads were blocked to through-traffic because of the size of the secured area.

In the mean-time, RCMP members have been combing the house and its surrounding area for evidence.

Staff Sgt. Allan Hearn said Iqaluit residents with information about the woman's death should call either of the following investigators:

Cpl. Sharan Sidhu at 867-975-4425 or 867-222-1222; or Cst. James Skeoch: 867-975-4430 or 867-222-1221.

Hearn said people may also leave anonymous tips at 1-800-222-8477.

"I know it's frustrating to give out so little information when we're trying to get information from the public, but as far as the RCMP is concerned it's a suspicious death and we continue to investigate," Hearn said.

Meanwhile, an Iqaluit man in his early 30s is being treated in an Ottawa hospital after he suffered a vicious attack from a four- or five-person gang on or about May 22. Street sources suggest the incident may be related to Iqaluit's thriving drug trade.

Pilgrim told city councillors that he is happy to report the man "did not pass away."

In another incident, police seized about $1,600 worth of marijuana and $600 in cash after breaking up a brawl in front of the Arctic Ventures store May 25. Police pepper-sprayed one man, then charged him with trafficking, resisting arrest and possessing the proceeds of crime.

Pilgrim told city councillors that this year Iqaluit suffers from a "staggering" rise in crime compared with last year: a total of 4,446 police calls, compared with only 2,937 last year.

With files from John Bird.