Police investigate suspicious death outside McDonald’s on Calgary Trail (with video)

Edmonton police homicide detectives on the scene of a death outside a south-side McDonald’s.

EDMONTON - Homicide detectives continue to investigate the suspicious death of a man Tuesday morning outside a south-side McDonald’s.

Police were called to the restaurant at 51st Avenue and Calgary Trail about 2:30 a.m.

An autopsy was underway Tuesday afternoon. His name was not released.

At daybreak, the parking lot was surrounded by police tape and the 24-hour restaurant was closed. Orange pylons and evidence markers dotted the pavement as officers searched the lot.

Two forensics officers, wearing gloves and white covers over their shoes, sifted through a full bag of garbage in the parking lot. Another officer carried a metal detector.

Detectives spoke to a young woman who was sitting in a white BMW SUV parked in the lot of an Esso gas station next to the McDonald’s. The woman, her face wet with tears, declined to comment.

Detectives were also seen canvassing adjacent businesses and restaurants.

Pedestrians attempting to cut through the parking lot were rerouted around a nearby shopping centre by police officers.

Homicide detectives are interviewing witnesses but police wouldn’t say much more about the case.

The death happened in the parking lot and was not connected to the McDonald’s restaurant, police spokesman Scott Pattison said.

A spokesman for McDonalds Canada said the company is co-operating with the police investigation.

“The well-being of our employees and ensuring they have the support they need is our main focus right now,” Louis Payette said in an email.

If the death is declared a homicide, it would be the city’s second of the year. The first occurred in February, when the body of 22-year-old Welid Sahle Meskel was found in a north Edmonton alleyway.
McDonald's on South side Video