Winnipeg hotel death ruled a homicide

The death of a man found in a downtown Winnipeg hotel this week has been ruled a homicide by police.

Police were called to the St. Regis Hotel, at 285 Smith St., just after 11:30 a.m. Monday when a man's body was found in a fourth-floor suite.

The victim has been identified as Edward John Denetchezhe, 60, of Winnipeg.

The death was initially deemed as suspicious, but on Wednesday, police upgraded it to a homicide — the city's 23rd of 2009.

Const. Robert Carver said police have identified at least one potential suspect in the case. He said homicide investigators hope to wrap up their investigation soon.

Police would not reveal how Denetchezhe was killed.

Hotel manager Kyle Wyatt told CBC News on Tuesday that Denetchezhe had been at the hotel for just under three months. Wyatt said he was staying as a monthly guest through Health Canada and was undergoing medical treatment for an unspecified illness.

He described Denetchezhe as quiet and reserved.

Two women who spoke with CBC News outside the hotel Tuesday said they were Denetchezhe's niece and a cousin.

The niece, Arica Antsanan, choked back tears when she said she found out about her uncle's death on Monday. She called him a "generous, kind person" and had no idea what caused his death.

Denetchezhe's cousin, Ann Denechnzhe (who spells her surname differently), said she can't understand why someone would want to hurt him.

"He's just a skinny little guy. He wouldn't hurt a soul," she said.

Anyone with information regarding the killing is asked to contact investigators at 986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at 786-TIPS (8477).