External investigation triggered as wanted man found dead

Police in the NWT have confirmed Richard Binder Jr is the man found dead near Big Lake, outside Inuvik, on November 3.

The territorial coroner’s office formally identified the 35-year-old’s body, which was discovered after police issued a public appeal for help locating him.

Binder was wanted on several outstanding warrants, police had earlier advised.

In a news release on Thursday, RCMP said an external investigation into Binder’s death will now be conducted by Edmonton Police Services.

External investigations are an automatic consequence of anyone’s death while in RCMP custody. Though Binder’s circumstances were different, police said the same policy applied.

Marie York-Condon, an RCMP spokesperson, told Cabin Radio: “Mr Binder Jr had been advised by RCMP on October 25 that he was under arrest, and he consequently fled, so the RCMP had official contact with him.

“The RCMP policy states that this must be treated the same as an ‘in custody’ event which calls for an external investigation.”

Binder was last in contact with RCMP on October 25 at approximately 8:30pm, the police statement read. He was reported missing on October 28 and a request for public assistance was issued on October 29.

RCMP requested that anyone with information about where Binder was from October 25 to November 3 should still get in touch, via 867-777-1111 or anonymously using Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.