An autopsy has determined that an elderly Edmonton man was beaten to death in what police are calling a cowardly attack.
William Kapach, 65, was found lying on an inner-city sidewalk Saturday morning in a pool of blood. He was taken off life-support on Thursday.
Police believe William Kapach, 65, was beaten and robbed of pocket change.
(Edmonton Police Service)
Police believe he was beaten and robbed of a small amount of pocket change, possibly by more than one attacker.
"At this time we do not know if there was a weapon involved or if the trauma was simply caused by fists or feet," Det. Bill Clark said Friday.
"This is a despicable and cowardly act … I classify them as a bully, you know, walking along for some reason targeting an elderly gentleman, probably thinking he was easy pickings."
The tall, frail senior stuck to a regular morning routine, said Clark. Kapach, who lived in a home for people with mental illness, would leave his apartment at 4:30 a.m., pick up two newspapers and then go for coffee.
Every Friday, he went to the Salvation Army for breakfast and a church service. Staff there remembered him as a gentle, quiet man.
A teddy bear and some flowers have been taped to telephone pole on 96 Street as a memorial, near where Kapach was found beaten with his two daily newspapers.
Police said someone dropped off Kapach's ID to the Salvation Army on the same day his body was found. Investigators said they hope that person will come forward to help them with their homicide probe.
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