Police asking for public’s help in suspicious death investigation

The man whose body was found near the ski jump area of Canada Olympic Park early Wednesday morning was a happy and “joyous” person who stayed out of trouble, according to a local imam who knew his family.

Imam Abdi Hersy has identified the man as 25-year-old Mohameddek Ali Mohamud. He’s spoken with members of Mohamud’s family, and said they are “devastated” at the news.

“This young man was very loving, caring, and someone who was extremely happy, joyous, always smiling,” Hersy said. “Someone that always ensures his mom is doing ok. Someone who was always involved in the community.”

Police are now asking for the public’s help in their investigation into what they say is a suspicious death.

Mohamud’s body was discovered around 2:30 a.m. by someone walking near 85th Street and Canada Olympic View S.W.

According to Hersy, Mohamud was working as a roofer and was trying to get into the trades.

“He had a big dream ahead of him,” Hersy said. “He had all his future ahead. His life was cut short.”

It’s not clear how Mohamud died or whether he was killed near the scene where his body was found, said Duty Inspector Paul Wyatt.

Hersy said Mohamud left his house shortly before midnight after receiving a call from someone he knew. He promised to come right back but never returned.

Police are asking for the public’s help in determining what happened to Mohamud.

“It is a secluded area, so anyone around 85th Street, Canada Olympic View, we’re looking for assistance between 6 p.m. last night and 3 a.m. (Wednesday) morning,” Wyatt said.

“Anything unusual, any sights, sounds, vehicles, anything out of the ordinary, we’d love to hear from you because it may be the lead we’re looking for.”

Mohamud is the third man of Somali descent to be killed in Calgary this year. His is the 59th death of a member of Alberta’s Somali community in the last eight years, Hersy said.

“We’re not hopeful now, and that’s not good,” he said. “We don’t know what to do, we don’t know what to say.”

“Who’s next? That’s what comes to my mind all the time.”

Twitter.com/erikamstark