Police charge 2 men with murder of missing man in Kuujjuaq
Suspects arrested in Montreal on Tuesday, make first court appearance Wednesday
Two men face murder and other charges in the death of Sanaak Unatweenuk, seen here, who disappeared from Kuujjuaq in June, pollice say. (File photo courtesy of Nunavik Police Service)
Police in Quebec have charged two men with the murder of Sanaak Unatweenuk, a 31-year-old man who was last seen in Kuujjuaq in June.
Two men were arrested in Montreal on Tuesday, the Sûreté du Québec said in a news release Wednesday. Quebec’s provincial police force took over the missing person case from the Nunavik Police Service in July.
Peter Saunders, 28, and Sandy Mesher, 57, appeared in a Montreal court on Wednesday, facing various charges including second-degree murder, accessory to murder, and indignity to a corpse, the provincial police said in news release issued Wednesday.
The allegations have not been tested in court.
Unatweenuk was reported missing on June 24 after failing to appear for work. He was last seen on June 20, leaving the Kuujjuaq Inn, police said then.
As the investigation into the disappearance continued, police determined that Unatweenuk had been the victim of a homicide, provincial police said Wednesday.
When he first went missing, there was a community-wide search including Nunavik police officers, Canadian Rangers and volunteers but it was called off after 17 days. The case was handed over to Quebec’s provincial police to be treated as a “criminal matter” on July 7.
Glad the family has closure. Kuujjuaq and Kangirsualujjuaq should now put the rumours to rest. Accusations don’t help an investigation and have ruined lives!
Put rumours to rest, but some rumours are worth investigating. For anyone following along with this story since the beginning of, I find the rumours were very interesting, not to give much emphasis on such as a rumour, but this case I think we should
I’m not sorry to say the police had all the evidence needed to arrest the suspects once the forensics cames back. They already announced it on the radio. Sit back and allow the police to do their jobs.
People should stop throwing people under the bus because they feel the need to talk without facts and basing them on assumptions. Kuujjuaq has always been like this and small town mentality in 2025 shouldn’t be accepted.
This tragedy is deeply unsettling for the community of Kuujjuaq. While the investigation has taken time, it is important to recognize the diligence and commitment of the authorities in ensuring this case was handled with care. The uncertainty during his disappearance was very difficult for many, but their persistence has brought some clarity. My sincere condolences go to Mr. Unatweenuk’s family and loved ones, and I hope he may now rest in peace.
The NPS had a photograph just days after the young man was reported missing. Why couldn’t the local NPS officers connect the dots and arrest the murderer in the photograph? Why did it take so long? Why allow a large population believe a murderer was walking within their community? It is time for the Kativik Regional Government and their representatives to start being charged with negligence. They believe just because they are representatives, they are beginning to believe that they are untouchable. Just get rid of the NPS and return with the SQ Police. These representative has not only blood on their hands for the shooting death of Inuit in Nunavik but they also have blood on their hands because of the vicious police brutality towards the men and women of Nunavik. KRG representatives, stand up and hold yourselves accountable.
No more will win a debate with me if im saying theres lots-of dysfunctional life in kuujjuaq. Many families are dysfunctional and has grown up that way. If mental illness and abuses and drug use and alcohol abuse, low education and other social upheaval is not addressed, this is what the results are. A little quiz for the lover of quesses and quiz to enlighten our knowledge and awareness: how many homicides in kuujjuaq alone in past three years? My god the jails are stuffed.
One of the problems in Kuujjuaq is always sweeping the issues under the rug. Their reasoning is: just focus on us, the biggies, we’re well-to-do proud and families. We don’t have any problems. See no evil, hear no evil
This is rediculous pin-pointing people calling names, you sure are positive calling people dysfunctional, it sounds you’re part of the suspect’s family member!
RIP Sanaak Unatweenuk, I am not from the area but I was watching this case and this is a sad turn of events. I hope the family gets justice soon.
Communities have to be careful when they’re asking everyone to join in searching. Are people ready to handle to find such gruesome sight? Can they handle it? If it was you who found the body, would you be strong enough to take it?
You wouldn’t want to know. Not worth asking that question. It is physically and mentally very hurtful to such things like that so not worth asking questions. I’m sure you wouldn’t want someone to ask questions like that to you.
What kind of comment are you trying to make? Are people that stupid to join in a search when they are not the type of individuals to do so? Your thoughts are making no sense written out
Another shock in the Kuujjuaq town. I hope and wish as many do that the unofficial capital of Nunavik will change for the better. No more needless (all) violence, injuries and deaths SVP. Condolences to family and friends of Sanaak, their loss is our loss.
How can people be so foolish making all kinds of comments!
The Mother of Sanaak is watching you all, she is so devastated and hurt for life and the family members, and you all stop this senseless comments being post, let Sanaak now rest in Peace, which we never wanted to see this happened to him, he has children too that are now hurt for life.
I hope the moderator will delete such words being thrown wide!
Condolences to his mother. That’s not to say no comments to be made. The problem in Nunavik is useless silence. Denial don’t talk and no change for wrong doings. Lije a god or Christ is take care of it. Not going to happen. Its the people that must be the change, no god or Christ is going to do it. Kuujjuaq is one big sickness, lije a karge outdoor mental facility. Outcasted from reality and nothing connected to wellness like the larger society of quebec and Canada. The number of professionals needed to come in from outside speaks volumes. A stuck in time dysfunctional life. Immaturity is everywhere. Kids are in trouble with growth and development.
look at the suspects not all Kuujjuamiut, how idiot are you?!
I am related to the Mother of Sanaak, everyone please respect the families, how hurt we are from the suspects!
Please stop this nonsense, have a heart!