Fort Good Hope youth charged with 1st-degree murder

A 17-year-old male has been charged with first-degree murder after RCMP found the body of a young woman in Fort Good Hope, N.W.T. on Saturday.

Police responding to a call made around 7 a.m. of an assault near the Seniors Complex in the community found the body of Charlotte Lafferty.

A 17-year-old male from the community was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. He made a brief appearance in a Yellowknife courtroom Monday morning before his case was adjourned until Wednesday to give him a chance to speak to a lawyer.

His name cannot be published under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

According to community members, the body of the victim was left in the street for hours while RCMP from Inuvik and Yellowknife, as well as the coroner, flew to the scene to investigate. 

Earlier today, the chief and council met with RCMP to talk about the length of time it took police to respond to the initial complaint.

"The biggest concerns were just how long the process takes," said Greg Laboucan, chief of Fort Good Hope.

"Whenever we phone for any kind of emergency, we get the Yellowknife dispatch, so that delays the process, that delays the time. And the other concern was just one member going to the scene. We feel there should be two members, just to help the situation."

However, the chief also said he and the band council are satisfied with the service they get from the RCMP in Fort Good Hope.

There are reports that alcohol was a factor in the assault. The band council has imposed an emergency 30-day ban on any liquor coming into the community.

A vigil is being held tonight for Lafferty, a mother of three young children.

N.W.T. RCMP are still investigating, with help from the Fort Good Hope and Inuvik detachments, Forensic Identification Services and the coroner’s office.

Police are asking for help from the public. Anyone with information can contact the Fort Good Hope RCMP or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.