A man’s body that was found badly charred in a fire pit in a North York park was likely set ablaze in an attempt to prevent identification, police say.
The body was discovered in Northwood Park, in the Sheppard Avenue West and Keele Street area, by a passerby at around 10 a.m. on Saturday.
Though a cause of death has not been released, Det.-Sgt. Kevin Leahy told CP24 on Monday afternoon that investigators believe the man was the victim of a homicide and was burned in an attempt to conceal his identity.
The body was found with “severe burns,” resulting from the fire, Leahy said.
“If people in the area happened to see a bonfire happening Friday night or early Saturday morning we want them to give us a call, especially if they noticed any vehicles or people in the park,” he said.
Leahy told CP24 that it is early to say whether the man was killed in the park or elsewhere.
The detective, however, did say that police are confident that there is no public safety threat.
“I don’t think people should be concerned. I think it is very likely that the victim was an intended target,” he said.
So far police have only been able to determine that the body is that of a man between the ages of 20 and 35 who was Caucasian or light skinned, and had short black hair.
