Spouse charged with second-degree murder in Kugaaruk woman's death

RCMP in Kugaaruk, Nunavut, have charged a 32-year-old man with second-degree murder in connection with the death of his common-law spouse late last week.

Bruce Kayaitok was charged in connection with the death of Belinda Tootiak, 30, RCMP said Monday.

Officers were called to the community's health centre on the morning of June 13, after staff there reported a woman was seriously injured, according to an RCMP release.

The woman was later pronounced dead, despite efforts by medical staff. An autopsy will be performed later this week, police said.

Kugaaruk RCMP say they continue to investigate the incident, with the help of the Nunavut RCMP's general investigation section.

Kugaaruk, with a population of about 700 people, is located about 1,100 kilometres west of Iqaluitin the Kitikmeot region in western Nunavut.