Body on 95th St. draws homicide probe

Man in 20s found at 3:30 a.m. in neighbourhood in transition

A man in his 20s was found dead on 95th Street early Monday morning, prompting homicide detectives to investigate.

Police responded to the Alberta Avenue neighbourhood at about 3:30 a.m. after a call came in about a man lying on 95th Street, between 117th Avenue and 118th Avenue.

The man was declared dead at the scene.

Police cordoned off three blocks along 95th Street to investigate Monday morning. The man’s body was covered with a pink sheet and a couple of yellow evidence placards could be seen on the road and sidewalk.

The businesses nearby, including a beauty parlour, coffee house, insurance company, dance studio and autobody shop, were still shuttered for the night.

Nearby resident Mark Cappo said the area is “laid-back” but there are some rougher parts depending on where you go. The suspicious death is “pretty unnerving, but living in this area, you kind of expect the unexpected,” he said.

Heather Workman moved to the area in July, and soon after, there was a neighbourhood block party. She said residents here know and look out for one another.

“When crime is in your area, it makes you want to protect it more,” she said. “The spirit of the people here is far greater than what’s happening on the streets.”

But Chad Baba, another resident, said there is also evident prostitution and drug activity along 95th Street and 118th Avenue.

“The community is really good, it’s just a neighbourhood in transition. Any neighbourhood in transition is going to have its ups and downs,” he said.

Police reopened the area at around 8:30 a.m.

An autopsy has not yet been scheduled. oellwand@edmontonjournal.com Twitter.com/otiena