Police rule death of Calgary baby in 2015 a homicide

Calgary police say the death of a three-month-old baby in 2015 has been ruled a homicide and are calling for anyone with information to come forward.

Calgary Police Insp. Don Coleman say Cyrus Nel was found in need of medical attention in August 2015 at his family home after a 911 call.

Paramedics took the boy to hospital but he died a day later.

“As with all undetermined child deaths, pediatric specialists and pathologists assisted greatly in moving this investigation forward,” Coleman said Monday.

“Although the cause of death is not being released at this time investigators believe the fatal injuries were inflicted on Cyrus in the family home.

“Police are not looking for additional suspects.”

Child death investigations like this one are sensitive and difficult, Coleman said. They rely heavily on medical information which can take a long time to compile, he said.

It can also take a while to determine cause of death, he added.

“There’s no other explanation for this unless it’s a homicide.”

Coleman said the parents of the victim have spoken to investigators.

“The parents of Cyrus have participated in the investigation to date; however, there’s still no plausible explanation that’s been offered as to the injuries that led to Cyrus’s death,” said Coleman.

Coleman said police are hoping that members of the public might be able to shed more light on the case.

“Somebody knows something. There’s at least one person, for sure, that knows something and we encourage anybody who knows anything that could be important that they come forward,” he said.