Homicide detectives are investigating after a man was found dead inside a home in North York on Tuesday morning.
Officers were called to a residence on Howard Drive, in the area of Leslie Street and Sheppard Avenue East, at around 8 a.m. after a man was found dead by a relative inside the house.
The incident was initially investigated as a “sudden death” but police now confirm they believe the man was murdered.
Family friends say the victim is 79-year-old Paul Morgan, a retired oral surgeon, philanthropist, and a recipient of the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award who volunteered with Indigenous communities.
Speaking to CTV News Toronto at the scene on Tuesday, Det.-Sgt. Keri Fernandes could not confirm the identity of the deceased.
“He hasn’t been conclusively identified yet,” Fernandes said. “There are some obvious signs of trauma and that itself makes the difficulty in the identification.”
His cause of death has not yet been released but a post-mortem examination is expected to take place on Wednesday.
Fernandes said the homicide unit has taken carriage of the investigation, which is still in its initial stages.
Police have not yet identified any suspects in connection with the case, she said.
“We do have a number of people associated to this residence and we are looking to speak with any of them,” Fernandes added.
Fernandes would not confirm if investigators believe the victim was a resident of the home where the body was found.
“There is a lot of information about what happens at this residence. We are still investigating that but until I can conclusively say that the person inside is a resident… it would be presumptive of me to address that,” she said.
Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
“Right now we are seeking the public’s assistance with anybody that has seen comings and goings with the house,” Fernandes said.
“We are going to speak with as many witnesses that come forth from this community right now but really we are looking to identify any and all occupants from the house.”
Michael Lavelle, a family friend of the victim, described Morgan as “the essence of goodness.”
“The amount of goodness that came out of this man is so inspirational, that as I say it, if I told you the truth, you wouldn’t believe it. You just wouldn’t believe that a man could be this selfless,” he said, adding that he thought of Morgan as a father figure.
Neighbours told CTV News Toronto that there was frequent activity at the home, often from youth that Morgan was helping.
“He never locked his doors. His doors were always open for people to come in and get shelter,” his next-door-neighbour George Papagiorgiou said. “He was a saint.”
-With files from CTV Toronto’s Tracy Tong
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