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The Lethbridge Police Service says there is no evidence to suggest that the death of a man in west Lethbridge was the result of foul play. The deceased man's body was discovered on July 14, 2023. (File photo: LNN)

Police say no evidence to suggest foul play in west Lethbridge death

Jul 21, 2023 | 12:36 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) continues to investigate the death of a man after his body was found in a storage shed on the west side of the city.

In an update provided on Friday, July 21, 2023, police stated there is no evidence to suggest the man died as a result of foul play.

On July 14, 2023, at around 12:30 p.m., officers responded to a report that workers from a restoration company located a body inside of a storage shed at the McDonalds restaurant along the 500 block of University Drive. The shed was damaged in a fire on July 3. The workers had attended the scene to provide remediation services to the shed.

The deceased man was taken to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Calgary, where an autopsy was performed. Police have since identified the deceased as a 33-year-old Lethbridge man.

The LPS said it will not be releasing the man’s identity. The autopsy results determined that he was inside the shed at the time of the fire. Police noted the cause of his death is undetermined, pending toxicology results that are not anticipated for several months.

JULY 3 FIRE

Police said at around 11 p.m. on July 3, staff at the McDonalds restaurant reported the shed was on fire. Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services (LFES) attended to extinguish the flames.

Staff further reported a break and enter of the shed after employees had discovered the lock broken off that morning and advised that they were waiting for a locksmith to replace it. The LPS said fire crews deemed the fire suspicious and notified police, as well as the LFES Fire Prevention Bureau.

Police said that due to the location of the victim and amount of debris in the shed, the body of the deceased was not found by the fire department during their preliminary investigation.

The LPS said because there is no evidence to suggest the man’s death is criminal in nature, no further comment or information will be released.

Police offer their condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.

READ MORE: Lethbridge Police Service investigating sudden death in west Lethbridge

READ MORE: Investigation continues into sudden death in west Lethbridge

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