Police were in contact with Big Island Lake man prior to death, investigation reveals

The reason behind the death of a 20-year-old Saskatchewan man is still being investigated by the RCMP.

Dominic Kahpoonapit’s remains were located earlier this month near a home on the Big Island Lake Cree Territory northwest of Meadow Lake.

In a release, the RCMP said its major crimes unit is still investigating the circumstances of Kahpoonapit’s death and is working to put together a timeline of what he was doing leading up to his disappearance in Dec., 2022.

Kahpoonapit was in contact with Pierceland RCMP in the days before he was reported missing, police said. But because he was not arrested, charged or in police custody, the RCMP said no specifics on the interaction can be provided as a result. Police also noted the ongoing status of the investigation.

That interaction with police led the Saskatchewan RCMP to proactively alert the Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team.

The team – which has a mandate to independently investigate any incidents in which a person dies or suffers a serious injury “arising from the actions of on- and off-duty police officers, or while in the custody of police” – will be monitoring the investigation relating to the interaction between Kahpoonapit and RCMP prior to his death.

“Our thoughts continue to be with Dominic’s loved ones during this difficult time,” the RCMP said in a statement.

The RCMP said the new information was shared as part of its commitment to transparency, and said additional updates will be provided when possible.