Police investigating murder of man, 46, on Brazil Street, source says

Swaths of police officers and vehicles surrounded a neighbourhood in downtown St. John's Monday, as the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary investigated an apparent homicide.

A source told CBC News the RNC wascalled to Brazil Street shortly after 10 a.m., whena man's body was discovered.

The RNC said later Mondaythat the man was 46-years-old.

"I told my sister, 'I think there's a dead body in the back,'" Crystal Faulkner told CBC News, outside Harbour View Apartments.

Faulkersaid she saw what she believes was a body under the steps at the back of the building, and that a large number of police officers were also gathered around the back.

"I thought I seen one (a body). Looked something like it."

Other people who live at the apartment building saidthey know very little about what happened.

"The police were at my door asking questions about last night and I have no idea," saidColin Beaulieu, wholives in the building at 91 Brazil St.

A hearse arrived at the apartment building around 1:30 p.m., and the body was removed from the scene.

Brazil Street murder scene

9 years ago

Duration 1:32

The RNC held a murder scene at Harbour View Apartments on Brazil Street Monday afternoon

'Suspicious death'

In a news release Monday afternoon, the RNC said officers are investigating a sudden death near a residence in the area of Brazil Street.

"While we are not releasing information on the deceased, we can confirm that we do believe this death to be suspicious at this time," the release said.

As of midday, there were several police officers and vehicles in the area.

Chief Medical Officer Simon Avis arrived at the scene shortly after police.

Avis confirmed that a body was found at the apartment building, but would not comment on the cause of death.

The RNC is expected to speak with the media in greater detail onTuesday.