Body found behind synagogue

The case of a body found near a dumpster behind a southwest Edmonton synagogue Thursday morning is being investigated as a suspicious death, police said.

Staff at the Beth Israel Synagogue in the Westridge district called police at about 8:45 a.m. after they found the body of a man.

"The death is being treated as suspicious at this time," Staff Sgt. Lorne Pubantz said in a news release. "It is too early in the investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the death."

Officers went door-to-door in the neighbourhood and cordoned off an area near the synagogue, including a wooded ravine.

Residents said homeless people have been known to stay in the ravines.

"I moved in here in 1975, and things were nice and quiet in those days in Edmonton," said Shirley Haramata. "But Edmonton is not like that any more, and same for any other city, I would imagine."

Police have not yet identified the body.