Editor’s note: The death was previously believed to be the city’s first recorded homicide of 2023, but police later said he died on December 27, 2022.
An Edmonton adult student was dead for five days in his central Edmonton home before he was found, police said, and homicide detectives are asking for the public’s help in solving the crime.
Ronald Bell, 70, was found dead in a bungalow on 106th Street, north of 107th Avenue, in the Central McDougal neighborhood on January 1.
Police were called to a report of a sudden death at the home around 1pm on New Year’s Day.
“An extinguished but unreported fire was discovered inside the residence along with an active water leak,” EPS Det. Jared Buehler said Thursday afternoon during a news conference outside the downtown home.
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He said homicide investigators were contacted because of the nature of Bell’s visible injuries and the crime scene.
“Based on our review of the scene and the autopsy, I think it’s safe to say that there was a very violent event.
“There was a struggle. Some kind of heated argument.
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An autopsy Wednesday determined the manner of death to be a homicide, but due to investigative reasons, the cause of death has not been released at this time.
Investigators now need help identifying other tenants and visitors to the home where his truck went missing on the day he died.
The victim’s black 2011 GMC Sierra truck was last seen on video leaving the driveway between 106th Street and 107th Street and heading west on 107th Avenue around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 27, 2022.
Edmonton homicide victim Ronald Bell, 70, owned this black 2011 GMC Sierra truck, Alberta license plate 77N 728, which was last seen driving west on 107 Avenue around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 27, 2022 Provided by Edmonton Police Service
Bell last interacted with friends at noon that day, Buehler said.
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“We suspect that Mr. Bell had already been killed at his residence at the time this vehicle was seen westbound on 107 Avenue.”
He is believed to have been killed sometime between 12:30 p.m. and when the truck was spotted four hours later.
Given that five days passed before the death was discovered, during an update Thursday afternoon, police said the truck could be anywhere.
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Just hours after that press conference in Edmonton, the truck was discovered in southern Alberta.
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An update Thursday night from EPS said the GMC pickup truck was found unoccupied around 4:20 p.m. in southeast Calgary, with a stolen Spruce Grove license plate.
EPS investigators are still seeking information about the truck and its whereabouts since it was taken from Bell’s home nine days ago.
Edmonton homicide victim Ronald Bell, 70, owned this black 2011 GMC Sierra truck, Alberta license plate 77N 728, which was last seen driving west on 107 Avenue around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 27, 2022 Provided by Edmonton Police Service
Police said Bell was the primary occupant of the house and rented the place out to other tenants. Other people also visited him during the holidays to see him or the other residents.
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Investigators are hoping to speak with anyone who lived or visited Bell’s house (10714 106 St.) this Tuesday or in the days before and after.
“While our investigation has located some of the individuals associated with the residence during that time, others have yet to be located,” Buehler said.
“We are asking people who were living or visiting Mr Bell’s home at the time and who we have not yet spoken to to come forward to the police immediately.”
“What these people know and potentially saw leading up to Mr Bell’s death is crucial to our investigation and we also want to confirm their welfare.”
1:21 Homicide detectives seek answers in ‘violent’ death of senior in central Edmonton
Detectives are also looking to speak to any residents in the area or people who were at the home and saw activity in the front or back of the home between last Tuesday and Sunday.
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The house is right next to a Husky gas station on 107 Avenue, which police said has heavy traffic.
“People may have been coming to gas up, to buy food at the convenience store, and they may have passed by that address or may have passed by that address during that time period.”
Everything observed at the home during those five days is important to the investigation, Buehler said.
“We are interested in any activity to the front or rear during this time – particularly individuals who may have moved property from the house.”
Buehler said the condition of the interior of the house suggested the items may have been moved in the days after the death.
“We have a pretty good idea of what happened in the alley, so we’re more concerned about what happened out here on the street.”
Edmonton police at the scene of a suspicious death near 107 Avenue and 106 Street in downtown Edmonton, Jan. 1, 2023.
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Anyone with information is asked to call EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a cell phone.
Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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