Puvirnituq couple’s death was murder-suicide, police say
Daughter, son find woman dead in house; soon after, man killed himself say police
The couple found dead in their Puvirnituq home on Monday have been identified by a family member as Mary Iqiquq Tukalak, 54, and her husband, Lukasi Tukalak, 57. (Photo courtesy of Facebook/Mary Iqiquq Tukalak)
Nunavik police say the deaths of a husband and wife in Puvirnituq on Monday are being investigated as a murder-suicide.
Police did not provide the identities of the people involved.
However, in a Facebook message to Nunatsiaq News, a woman who identified herself as the wife’s cousin said the woman was Mary Iqiquq Tukalak and the man was Lukasi Tukalak. She declined further comment.
At 4:30 p.m. Monday, officers with the Nunavik Police Service responded to a 911 call that a person had been found dead inside a home, said Capt. Patrice Abel.
He said the couple’s daughter told police she last saw her 54-year-old mother on Jan. 1. She and her brother went to the house Monday afternoon to check on her and found her body on the kitchen floor.
They then found their father, 57, in the bedroom holding a rifle in his hands, threatening to kill himself.
“The son pulled the rifle out of his hand,” Abel said.
The son and daughter went to a neighbour’s house to call the police.
Abel said that by the time officers arrived at the scene, the man had killed himself with another firearm.
He said a letter was found on the table, apparently written by the husband admitting he had killed his wife.
Abel said the couple had a history of domestic violence and that the husband was previously charged with assault.
The Sûreté du Québec, the provincial police force, is leading the investigation because it is being treated as a homicide. Abel said investigators arrived in Puvirnituq at noon Wednesday.
A spokesperson for the Sûreté du Québec did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday afternoon.
I pray for our neighbors to the north in Jesus name, Amen ! Hugs
Will there be any protests, calls for justice, or inquiries over this? Violence is only bad when it comes from the police.
There is a distinction with regards to this situation versus someone that has been given license to kill
“Social Fabric” issue if I ever heard one. Perhaps 70% of the male population has had assault charges while in a long term relationship. Poverty and substance abuse fuels violence in the home. Very sad that this couple has the stereotypical same old story, with a very disturbing ending.
My heart filled with sadness when I read the news! I had the privilege of working with Mary for several years and I will always remember her as a colleague full of energy and dedicated to her community. All my thoughts are with the people of Puvirnituq and you are all forever in my heart.
What does the society of Northern Quebec Inuit system want to learn and what does the Southern Quebec society system want to teach?
How do it all starts and how does the whole society responds…? A new norm?