Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T., woman died of alcohol poisoning, inquest jury finds

The jury at a coroner's inquest into the 2021 death of Sylvia Panaktalok in Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T., has determined that Panaktalok's death was accidental, and the result of alcohol poisoning.

The six-person jury also issued 11 recommendations at the close of the inquest in Inuvik on Thursday. The jury deliberated for two and a half hours before issuing its recommendations.

Panaktalok died in RCMP cells in Tuktoyaktuk in July 2021 shortly after being arrested while extremely intoxicated.

During the inquest this week a medical examiner testified about the autopsy done on the 54-year-old woman, saying there was no evidence that she had been a long-term abuser of alcohol.

Dr. Evan Wood, an expert on addictions, was given all the evidence and sworn in as an expert witness at the inquest.

He testified that Panaktalok showed signs of severe health issues when she was arrested. He said her breathing was irregular, and she should have been medically examined.

Wood said people in Panaktalok's condition are often treated with IV needles for fluid and even dialysis to cycle their blood to remove the alcohol.

"Those are probably not available in rural or remote locations though," he told the inquest, by video call from Vancouver.

Instead of being brought to the health centre or checked by officers, Panaktalok was dragged on a sleeping mat into an RCMP cell, until the civilian guard at the detachment noticed she was not breathing.

The jury's recommendations include increased training and policy review by all officers and civilian guards at the Tuktoyaktuk RCMP detachment, and for territorial and local authorities to work to get an ambulance and a sobering centre in Tuktoyaktuk.

The jury also recommended that remote RCMP detachments like Tuktoyaktuk should have annual emergency response drills to make sure all staff are aware of their roles and how to provide help to those who need it.

The jury also recommended that all health centres in the N.W.T. have breathalyzer machines.

Members of Panaktalok's family were in the room on Thursday as the jury read its determination and recommendations.