Ladysmith RCMP are investigating the suspicious death of a 76-year-old North Oyster man.
A neighbour called 911 at 11:30 a.m. Thursday and police arrived at a home at 13625 Wagon Wheel Trail, off Yellow Point Road, to find the body of Kenneth Benjamin Hein.
There are suspicous aspects to the death, said Cpl. Darren Lagan, spokesman for the Island District RCMP.
The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit is assisting Ladysmith RCMP in the investigation. Officers were still at the home on Friday.
Neighbours contacted Friday were aware of Hein’s death and spoke highly of him. Hein was retired from a career as a self-employed dump truck driver and excavator operator. His wife died within the last couple of years.
Neighbour Paul Francoeur called Hein “a really nice fellow. He was always waving and saying ‘Hello.’ ”
Neighbours became concerned when a woman identified as Hein’s step-daughter was seen outside the home screaming.
“The neighbour across the road from us went to see what was going on and she told him to take off and he called 911,” said Francoeur.
The coroner is working with investigators to determine the cause and time of death.
