Two Yellowknife RCMP officers charged after detainee dies in custody

In March 2025, two RCMP officers in Yellowknife responded to a disturbance report and detained 56-year-old Lawrence Blackduck, who showed signs of intoxication, inside a police vehicle while they gathered information. When they returned to the car, Blackduck was unresponsive and later died despite emergency measures and paramedic assistance. The Alberta RCMP, which oversaw the investigation, has charged the officers with criminal negligence causing death and failing to provide the necessities of life.

An internal review prompted revisions to police policy and training regarding in-vehicle detentions. Northwest Territories RCMP Chief Superintendent Dyson Smith offered condolences to Blackduck’s family and described the case as deeply troubling, emphasizing a commitment to transparency and public trust.