Canada - Emerald MacDonald, 24, actress, found dead in cabin, IQALUIT, Nunavut, 3 May 2021

[dotr]

Qaggiavuut!
May 25 2021
Nunavut police ask for public's help in homicide investigation of 'Grizzlies' actor
''IQALUIT -- Nunavut RCMP are asking for the public's help with an investigation into the death of a northern actor.

Police say Emerald MacDonald's body was found May 3 at a cabin outside Kugluktuk, almost 1,600 kilometres north of Edmonton and the westernmost community in Nunavut.

The RCMP initially called MacDonald's death suspicious, but have since ruled it a homicide.

MacDonald, who was 24, played the role of Miranda in the 2018 Canadian sports drama film "The Grizzlies," based on the true story of a lacrosse team in Kugluktuk.

Police say MacDonald was seen buying supplies in the community on April 30 before travelling to her family's cabin by snowmobile.

Investigators are asking anyone who saw or spoke to MacDonald, or who may have seen or heard anything on the land that weekend, to contact the Kugluktuk RCMP.''

 

[dotr]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/emerald-macdonald-homicide-kugluktuk-rcmp-1.6034945
''MacDonald became well known for her role in The Grizzlies, a 2018 film about a lacrosse team in Kugluktuk. The film is based on the true story of youth overcoming intergenerational trauma from residential schools, suicide and other struggles, and it was co-produced by MacDonald's sister, Stacey Aglok MacDonald.

A statement on the movie's Facebook page last week said Emerald MacDonald was a "shining talent."
"Emerald's performance was celebrated across the country, Europe and the world, but most important to her was that she made her community proud," the statement reads.

MacDonald's sister also posted a tribute to her on Facebook.

"She was a fearless, brave young woman who had so much more love, joy and talent to offer. She was taken too soon, but her love and light lives on in our hearts and on our screens," wrote Stacey Aglok MacDonald.

Police are asking anybody with information, or who may have seen or heard anything on the land or around MacDonald's cabin, to contact Kugluktuk RCMP at 867-982-0123, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).''

 

[dotr]

This lovely and talented young woman was murdered approximately 6 weeks after the release of the movie.

The Grizzlies | Featurette - Meet the Cast | Emerald MacDonald
•Feb 15, 2021
''THE GRIZZLIES hits Australian and New Zealand cinemas on March 18, 2021. Find out more about the film: www.thegrizzliesmovie.com.au THE GRIZZLIES is the inspiring true story of first-year teacher Russ Sheppard, who takes a temporary assignment to teach at a high school in Kugluktuk, a small arctic town with the highest suicide rate in North America. Having no success at getting his Inuit students to show up for class—and seeing that many of the teens roam around town drinking and smoking—he believes that teaching them the sport of lacrosse will get them in school and motivate them to achieve. But really it’s Sheppard who has a lot to learn, as they end up transforming their own lives as well as his. It was deeply important to the producers of 'The Grizzlies' to create an environment of collaboration and an atmosphere of inclusion and respect in the depiction of this true story of real people. As part of this commitment, they created a paid mentorship program that enabled Inuit crew, Inuit and Indigenous actors, Inuit musicians, and Inuit creative collaborators to work on the film in each and every department. 'The Grizzlies' has provided a training ground for future Inuit and Indigenous filmmakers with more than 91% of the cast and more than 33% of the crew being Inuit or Indigenous. Over 600 kids from the Arctic auditioned for roles. Emerald MacDonald is a first-time actor. She has traveled across Canada with Qaggiavuut! teaching performing arts to youth. She just finished touring with I Love First Peoples to bring THE GRIZZLIES to remote Indigenous communities across Canada. She is also an Inuvialuit drum dancer and throat singer.''

 

[annpats]

Is there nowhere safe from murderers?

 

[moody_chicago]

Justice for MMIWG. Ugh.

 

[dotr]

RCMP seek public’s help in investigation of homicide of Kugluktuk actress Emerald MacDonald - NUNAVUT NEWS
''She was last seen in Kugluktuk on April 30, purchasing supplies at a store in the community as she prepared to head out to her family’s cabin, according to the RCMP.

She travelled to the cabin on Inutkoakakvik Island (Old Man Island) by snowmobile for the weekend, the Mounties stated. That’s the last place she was known to have been alive.

Police are asking anyone who has information; anyone who saw or heard anything out on the land or near the cabin; or who saw or spoke to MacDonald that weekend to contact the Kugluktuk RCMP at 867-982-0123. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), submitting a secure web tip at www.nwtnutips.com or text ‘NWTNUTIPS’ plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES).''

 

[Sincerely]

Interesting read about Nunavut’s crime rate.

A Closer Look at Nunavut’s Notoriously High Murder Rate

 

[Gibbo214]

Is there nowhere safe from murderers?

Not for females, it seems.

 

[Filly]

Interesting read about Nunavut’s crime rate.

A Closer Look at Nunavut’s Notoriously High Murder Rate

Special thanks for this @Sincerely . That's a crime in itself. So disheartening.

Such a sin about Emerald. Hoping they find who did this to her.

 

[dotr]

Toronto Star
June 4 2021
Nunavummiut demand justice in homicide of ‘Grizzlies’ actor Emerald MacDonald
''RCMP have not provided an update on the killing since May 20 but said they are still investigating and are asking the public to come forward with any information that may help.

Chief Supt. Amanda Jones told The Canadian Press that investigators from the territory’s major crimes unit are in Kugluktuk. She said she couldn’t provide more details.

“It is under investigation and we’re very active in continuing with that investigation,” Jones said.

As the wind picked up, the group walked to Iqaluit’s RCMP detachment. Some linked arms while others pulled each other close, slowing their footsteps as they embraced and wiped away tears.''

''Calvin Pedersen, the legislature member for Kugluktuk, told the assembly earlier this week that residents of the community have hung red dresses outside their homes in solidarity with MacDonald’s family.

“I urge anyone who may know something to contact the Kugluktuk RCMP,” Pedersen said.

“Baboo’s voice and passion made her community very proud of her. This is a terrible loss for our town.”

 

[dotr]

Nunavummiut demand justice in homicide of 'Grizzlies' actor Emerald MacDonald - NEWS 1130
"IQALUIT — About 30 people gathered in a school parking lot as wet snow fell to demand justice for Emerald MacDonald, the 24-year-old actress who was found dead at a cabin outside Kugluktuk on May 3.

RCMP initially called MacDonald’s death suspicious, but have since ruled it a homicide.''

''As the wind picked up, the group walked to Iqaluit’s RCMP detachment. Some linked arms while others pulled each other close, slowing their footsteps as they embraced and wiped away tears.

As they reached the police building, a woman pulled a single pair of running shoes from a cloth bag and gently put them on the concrete step in memory of MacDonald.

Alethea Arnaquq-Baril, co-producer of “The Grizzlies,” spoke to the crowd.

‘We chose to come here because we want to trust that the RCMP are doing a good job with the investigation,” Arnaquq-Baril said. “Baboo deserves the best investigation and you better believe we’ll be keeping an eye on it.''

 

[dotr]

May 20 2021
Kugluktuk RCMP and ‘V’ Division MCU seek public assistance in a homicide investigation | Royal Canadian Mounted Police
''Kugluktuk, NU – May 3, 2021

The 'V' Division RCMP Major Crime Unit (MCU) are investigating the homicide of Emerald MacDonald that occurred in Kugluktuk in early May, 2021.

On Friday, April 30, 2021, Ms. MacDonald was preparing to go to her family's cabin, buying supplies at the store. This was the last time she was seen in the hamlet of Kugluktuk. It was during the week that a funeral took place.

Ms. MacDonald then traveled to the cabin on Inutkoakakvik Island (Old Man Island) by snowmobile for the weekend. This is where she was last seen alive.

Police are asking anyone who has information; anyone who saw or heard anything out on the land or near the cabin; or who saw or spoke to Ms. MacDonald that weekend to contact the Kugluktuk RCMP at 867-982-0123.

Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), submitting a secure web tip at www.nwtnutips.com or text 'NWTNUTIPS' plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES).

Contact information
For more information, contact:
RCMP "V" Division Media
Iqaluit, Nunavut
Media Cell: (867) 222-3977
Email: VDIV_MEDIA@rcmp-grc.gc.ca''

Thought of Emerald after learning about this death..
Canada- RCMP investigate death of Diem Saunders, N.L. advocate for Indigenous women, 7 Sept 2021

 

[Rush4087]

Unbelievable. So tragic. What a pretty girl. They need to find this maniac.

My guess would be that either somebody had broken into the cabin earlier and was living there at the time that she arrived, or that it was maybe somebody who knew her and knew that she was going to the cabin. They could have followed her out to the cabin and killed her. What a coward.

I wonder if there is any dna, fingerprints, other snow mobile or foot tracks, a weapon, casings, etc. Also, it seems there should be at least some phone or gps data avail., as even though the cabin may have been outside of cell service, some gps’s and some “find my phone” apps still work. And what about radio? Wish they’d release more.
All jmo

 

[dotr]

ARREST!
Oct 16 2021
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/emerald-macdonald-death-murder-charge-1.6213968
"In a news release Saturday, police said they arrested Scott Hala on Friday and charged him with the first-degree murder in MacDonald's death, as well as the attempted murder of another person.

Hala is expected to appear in court on Nov. 23, RCMP said.

MacDonald became well known for her role in The Grizzlies, a 2018 film about a lacrosse team in Kugluktuk. The film was based on the true story of youth overcoming intergenerational trauma from residential schools, suicide and other struggles.

It was co-produced by MacDonald's sister, Stacey Aglok MacDonald.''

 

[dotr]

2021
Murder charge laid in death of The Grizzlies actor Emerald MacDonald | CBC News
''A first-degree murder charge has been laid in the death of an actress known for her role in the award-winning movie The Grizzlies.

Emerald MacDonald's body was found at a cabin outside the hamlet of Kugluktuk, Nunavut, on May 3, according to Nunavut RCMP.

She had been seen last in the hamlet on April 30, buying supplies to go to her family's cabin for the weekend, police had said earlier in their investigation.

She then travelled by snowmobile to the cabin on Inutkoakakvik Island (Old Man Island).

In a news release Saturday, police said they arrested Scott Hala on Friday and charged him with the first-degree murder in MacDonald's death, as well as the attempted murder of another person.''

 

[bombardier]

According to a docket search, Scott Hala has been in court as recently as Feb 7th. His next appearance is set as March 7th. I can't see anything about the nature of the appearances except he is now in the 'CR-ELEC' stage and will enter 'ELECT' in March... I'm guessing that stands for current/court election?

 

[dotr]

NOV 30, 2023 By David Lochead

Date for murder trial in death of Kugluktuk actress penciled in for 2024

Newspaper of record for Nunavut, and the Nunavik territory of Quebec

nunatsiaq.com

''Scott Hala will stand trial for the murder of actress Emerald MacDonald, shown in this file photo from her appearance in the movie “The Grizzlies.” Trial dates were reserved for May 21 to May 31, 2024, in Kugluktuk. These dates are set to be confirmed on Jan. 8. (File photo)

''Scott Hala will be going to trial for the first-degree murder of Emerald MacDonald, whose body was found on May 3, 2021, in a cabin outside Kugluktuk.
He will also be tried for an attempted murder charge in relation to a second person, who was medevaced to Edmonton. As well, Hala faces a charge of aggravated sexual assault''.