2 found dead in Hay River, N.W.T.

Two people have been found dead in Hay River, N.W.T.

The RCMP responded to a call for help in the early morning on Thursday. When they went to the scene, they found the two people dead.

A third person is in police custody.

RCMP Sergeant Wesley Heron said the investigation is still in its early stages.

"At this point we would consider these as absolutely suspicious and of course the investigation will determine whether these deaths were caused by their own hand or by someone else's hand," Heron said.

The manager of Hay River's Mackenzie Place highrise, Malay Das, said at around 5 a.m. Thursday about seven police cruisers surrounded the building and ambulances were going to and from the highrise until early afternoon.

Das said one floor of the building is blocked off with police tape.

Mayor says community is shaken

The mayor of Hay River, Ken Latour, said community members are shaken up and shocked by the news. He said there is an undercurrent of grief in the close-knit community.

"I don’t think this is a time for asking what is the meaning of this, or what does this say about our town, or what does this say about the North, but really to just show our support and to recognize the tragedy that's just occurred, " Latour said.

The Hay River RCMP detachment is investigating the deaths, with help from the RCMP's major crime unit and its forensic identification services.