Solomon Uyarasuk inquest: Investigators concluded suicide in 2012

The first witness at the coroners inquest into the death of SolomonUyarasukin RCMP cells inIglooliktwo years ago says the initial police team investigating the death concludedUyarasukdied by suicide.

In September 2012,Uyarasukwas arrested early in the morning for assault. At the time of the arrest, police said he appeared highly intoxicated. They placedUyarasukin an RCMP cell. A short time later, police say they foundUyarasukunresponsive. Police, a nurse and a guard were not able to resuscitate him.

Sgt. Dan Brenner of the Ottawa Police Service was part of the investigative team that travelled toIgloolikin September 2012.

Brenner said if the team had found thatUyarasuk'sdeath was at the hands of the RCMP, charges would have been laid

GarthEggenbergerfrom Yellowknife is the coroner in charge of the inquest, with Nunavuts coroner,PadmaSuramala, observing the proceedings to learn how it is done.

Eggenbergeropened the inquest by noting that hes a stranger to the community of about 1,800, and that he needs to get to know the person who died.

He also said that death comes to everyone at some point.

For those of us left behind, we need to pick up the pieces, comfort each other."

3 men, 3 women on jury

About 25 community members showed up for jury duty. The names of the jurors selected were then drawn from a coffee can.

The jury consists of three men and three women. Theyre tasked with listening to all of the evidence in order to come up with recommendations to prevent future deaths.

One woman selected to the jury admittedUyarasukwas her grandmother's adopted son so she called him uncle, but she said that wouldnt affect her ability to be a jury member.

Brennan spent most of this morning describing the photos of the scene to the six-person jury.

He described photos from the scene including a black, nylon belt wedged into the slot through which prisoners meals are passed, and blood stains in the cell.

About 10 members ofUyarasuk'sfamily were at the community hall this morning where the inquest is being held.

Uyarasuk'sbiological mother is being represented by lawyers from theMaliiganikTukisiiniakviklegal aid clinic in Iqaluit.

She plugged her ears during part of Sgt. Brennan's testimony, and was later helped out of the hall by family members, appearing too weak to stand on her own.