The Yukon’s acting chief coroner has released the name of the man who was found dead last week after a fire in his Riverdale home.
Alan Fournier was set to celebrate his 51st birthday this coming Thursday, Julius Debuschewitz said Tuesday afternoon.
Police and firefighters were called to 20 Lewes Blvd. at about 8:20 a.m. on March 15. They were able to extinguish the fire within minutes.
While the rest of the house suffered smoke and water damage, the fire was contained to Fournier’s bedroom, where his body was found.
Officials have ruled out foul play at this time. They suspect the “accidental fire” may have been caused by “smoking in bed,” Whitehorse RCMP said in a release.
The fire department estimates the material damage of the home at around $30,000 to $40,000.
Debuschewitz is waiting for the results of toxicology and microscopic exams to determine the cause of death.
Jury selection in Asp trial finally completed
After seven days of jury selection, 16 jurors have been chosen to hear the first-degree murder trial of Christina Marie Asp.
Asp is charged in connection with the death of Gordon Seybold. The 63-year-old man’s remains were found in the charred rubble of his Ibex Valley home in March of 2008.
Her Yukon Supreme Court trial is expected to last for about three months.
That made it tough to find jury members. For the past few days, the Yukon’s sheriff’s office hit the streets of Whitehorse to find people to round out the jury.
Lawyers started their presentations Wednesday morning.