Faye Grandjambe
The woman who was found dead behind the Gold Range last September died of Acute Ethanol Toxicity, or alcohol poisoning, according to the NWT Coroner’s Service.
Faye Kara Grandjambe, 30, originally from Fort Good Hope, was found early on Sept. 27, a Saturday, in the alley behind the Gold Range Hotel. Police at the time did not suspect foul play and no criminal investigation was launched in the wake of her death.
NWT chief coroner Cathy Menard told EDGE that the toxicology results showed Acute Ethanol Toxicity to be the cause of death, but could not comment on blood alcohol levels or any other circumstances surrounding the death.
“The family has everything on it, and that’s our priority,” she said.
The results of the test were received back in December. However, the coroner’s office does not have protocols mandating cause of death information be released to the public, said Menard.
Shortly after Grandjambe’s body was found, rumours about the the cause of death began to swirl, prompting RCMP spokesperson Const. Elenore Sturko to tell CBC: “Word travels fast when there is an incident in our town. It’s important for people to realize though, that not all your information you’re going to hear on Facebook or at the local coffee shop is going to be accurate. Quick information isn’t always based on facts.”
Grandjambe is one of 11 people who died from toxicity in the territory last year, according to the NWT Coroner’s Service. That total is up from five in 2011, seven in 2012 and eight in 2013. While some of these deaths have involved drugs (recently health officials have been highlighting the dangers of the opiate Fentanyl – though this has been present in only three NWT toxicity deaths since 2011), the biggest issue in the territory remains alcohol, said Menard.
