Police swab residents for DNA in aftermath of Brazil Street homicide

As the police searchcontinues for whoever took the life of Marcel Reardon,the investigation has expanded to involve DNA swabbing of residentsat Harbour View Apartments on Brazil Streetin St. John's, where his body was found.

A tenant in the building saw the 46-year-old'sbody underneath a set of concrete steps at the back of the building Monday morning, and alerted the superintendent, Jack Huffman, to come to the scene.

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"First reaction. I knew right away that he was deceased. I can't say fear. Just, shock," said Huffman.

Since then, Royal Newfoundland Constabularyofficers have been present in the area, spendingquite a bit of time at the building Wednesday night.

"They were checking apartments and taking swabs for DNA testing," said Huffman.

DNA swabbing

Police took one swabfrom Huffman.

"I have no problem,if it helps solve this case. I have and a lot of the other tenants.I hope all the tenants volunteer for it because we want this thing resolved, as quickly as possible," he said.

One woman the CBC spoke with did have a problem with giving a DNA sample. She said she told the police they would have to get a court order if they wanted one from her.

Meanwhile, Huffman saidlife is starting to return to the way it was before the homicide.

"Management and myself, we're trying to just continue the way we were before. I went out and cut the lawnthis morning,"he said.

"Talking to some of the people,everything seems to be calming down."

Tenant support

There was a gathering at the front of the building Thursday. Tenants were eating muffins, smoking, drinking coffee, and supporting each other.

For now, no one is forgetting what happened.

"This was a crime scene since Monday morning. Right now, this was a crime scene where we're standing," said Huffman.

"And now all the barriers are taken down, the tape is taken down, so it's feeling a little more like home, because this is these people's home."

For Huffman, the memory of what he saw is still vivid.

"I came out, down the stairs. There was what appeared to be brain matter here on the ground, and the man's body was tucked in under the stairs here with his head facing me, on his stomach. He was lying flat out, the length right underneath the stairs."