Murder charge laid in death of Rankin woman

A Rankin Inlet man faces a charge of second-degree murder in connection with the death of 22-year-old Leanne Irkotee, who died at the Rankin Inlet health centre last Friday morning.

“She was a really sweet person and not a threat to anyone, always kind and always decent and always trying her best. It’s a very sad thing, just a waste, a waste, a waste,” said one Rankin Inlet resident, who did not wish to be identified.

Police found a badly-injured Irkotee inside a Rankin Inlet residence around 7:30 a.m. on April 23, after getting a call from someone who said Irkotee needed medical attention.

They arrived with an ambulance and took the young woman to the Rankin Inlet health centre, where she was pronounced dead at about 10:15 am.

Later that day, her body was sent to Edmonton for an autopsy, but police have not released the exact cause of her death.

RCMP members from the major crimes unit in Iqaluit, and from forensic identification sections in Iqaluit and Edmonton are still at working on the case in Rankin Inlet.

Adrien VanEindhoven, 30, of Rankin Inlet, was arrested and charged with second degree murder on Monday night.

VanEindhoven’s first court appearance is scheduled for May 4, in Iqaluit.