The chief coroner of the NWT has identified the man who apparently drowned in Marian Lake near Behchoko on Sept. 4 or 5. Cathy Menard said that the body of 52-year-old Gilbert Nitsiza of Behchoko has been sent to Edmonton for an autopsy but added that all signs point to drowning as the likely cause of death. She said there is nothing suspicious about the death.

stated in a news release that officers were called to the area on Sept 5 about a capsized boat and what was believed to be a body floating in the lake The Mounties along with emergency personnel and search and rescue members attended the scene by boat and recovered the body. Police are assisting the coroner in the investigation.

Behchoko chief Clifford Daniels said that he understands that Nitsiza was travelling from Whati on Sept. 4 when the boat flipped in high winds throwing him into the water. Daniels added that the body wasn't discovered by passing boaters until the next day. He described Nitsiza, who was originally from Whati, as a jack-of-all-trades and a loving father to several children who had friends and family in Behchoko, Whati and across the NWT. Daniels added that folks travelling by boat should always tell someone of their travel plans ahead of time to try to avoid tragedies like this one. Daniels said when out on the lake in high winds it's always a good idea to pull up on shore until the winds die down.

No funeral arrangements had been announced by Sept. 8.