Edmonton police investigate homicide of 20-year-old man

Police are investigatingthe deathof a 20-year-old man whose body was found nearVegreville, Alta.after a significant amount of his blood was found about 100 kilometres away in Edmonton.

At about 2:45 a.m. on April 5, Edmonton police responded to a trouble-unknown call near 92ndStreet and 110th Avenue. Officers found blood on the ground at the back of a home in the neighbourhood.

Hours later, theRCMPMajor Crimes unitlaunched an investigation following the discoveryof a body in a vehicle near Vegreville.

On April 15, DNA analysis of the blood found in Edmonton was matched to Tristen Nicholas Morningeagle Cook-Buckle. Three days later, DNA analysis from the Vegreville crime scene was also matched to Cook-Buckle.

Autopsy results releasedFriday determined the death was the result of a homicide, thoughpolice are not releasing the exact cause.

Nearby residentJoseph Simons spoke highly of the McCauley neighbourhood and its tight-knit community, but said the home where the incident took place has a bad reputation. He said the houseis rented, and he has seen severaltenants come and go since September.

Simons said his wife and other neighbours heard a loud bang at about 11:30 p.m. onApril 4, butit's unclear if the noise was a gun shot, or if it was related to the homicide.

Simons said he was woken up hours later by police banging on the door of the house next door.

The Edmonton Police Service's homicide section hastaken the lead on the investigation.Police are asking anyone with informationto contact them.