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Lawrence Nicholas Bosiak, 77, was died of gunshot wounds on October 26th, 2008.

Bosiak was Edmonton's twenty-fourth homicide victim of the year.

Case status is open and active.

police set up command post | weapon recovered | composite sketch released
case placed on police unsolved murder web page

Police continue to investigate Edmonton's twenty-fourth confirmed homicide of 2008 – read more »

A caretaker checking on reports of a transient inside Clarewood Apartments at 3757 139 Avenue discovered the body of a senior lying between the first and second floors inside the building's west stairwell.

Police got the call at about 10:44 p.m. October 26th, 2008 and quickly determined a 77-year-old man was dead from a gunshot wound to the head.

"EMS was called but unfortunately they were unable to revive the victim there. He died at the scene. That's when we were called in," a police spokesman said.

"We currently have homicide detectives investigating, following up several leads at this time."

Early reports indicate building tenants heard a scuffle and a gunshot about 15 minutes before but apparently no one called police. The man had just returned from buying a carton of milk and was confronted on his return to the four-storey Abbottsfield-area walk-up. One investigator revealed what he knew at the scene.

"What I can confirm is that there is a homicide here at the building. It is a shooting and it is a white elderly male that is the victim," Det. Dave Schening told media.

Police found a black leather wallet lying beside an extended-cab Silverado pickup truck in a nearby parking lot leading investigators to believe robbery may have been a motive.

"I can tell you there is a wallet and it belongs to somebody," Schening said. "And until that guy is properly identified, I don't want to say, 'Yes, that's his wallet.' "

Several potential witnesses were taken in for questioning. The man's body was removed from the building by the medical examiner at about 3 a.m.

Carpeting on the stairwell landing where the man died was later removed.

While investigators haven't identified possible suspects, there were unconfirmed reports of several youths seen leaving the area soon after the man's death.

"There was some talk of some people seen running south from the building, but that couldn't be confirmed," Sgt. Mark Bloxham said.

Police confiscated surveillance tapes from a Mac's convenience store located two blocks away from the man's apartment building.

The day after the murder, police released a description of a person of interest, someone several people saw running from the area at about the time the victim was found.

The person was described as an adult male with a dark complexion, approximately 5-feet 11-inches, in his mid 20s to early 30s, with short, dark hair and a sparse or patchy goatee, wearing a dark blue sweater and light-coloured pants.

Investigators said it wasn't known what role he may have played in the 77-year-old's death and that they wish to speak to anyone who may have been in the area at the time of the slaying.

Residents varied in their answers to media questions regarding their sense of personal safety. While some described the area as "sketchy," others said they felt comfortable living there.

For the most part, tenants described the building as very secure and noted the stairwells were especially difficult to get into – even with keys.

The Edmonton Sun was first to identify the victim as Lawrence Nicholas Bosiak, also known as Larry.

"Everyone who knew him liked him – a lot," Joyce Froehlich, his partner of eight years said. "I don't think you'll find anyone who had a bad word to say about him."

Police set up command post

On October 28th, police took the unusual step of setting up their Mobile Action Centre vehicle at a Wal-Mart where Bosiak was last seen alive.

Det. Greg Murray said police were using all available resources in their efforts to solve Bosiak's murder.

"We've got the command post out here in the hopes that people driving by will see it and they'll hear on the news that this incident happened," Murray said.

"They maybe will have some small piece of information and they'll stop by – especially those people that we don't get a chance to meet in our door-to-doors ...

"We're going to try and get to everyone."

"Our victim here was an elderly gentleman seen as being a pillar of society; he has helped out society where ever he could," Murray said.

"We want to find the person responsible for this and have them answer for it, so that the rest of society can feel a little bit better and safer."

Police also firmed up details regarding the wallet and motive.

"The information we have so far is certainly indicating that robbery may be a motive.

"There was a wallet that was found ... we believe it belonged to the deceased individual. That's where the possibility of a robbery motive comes in.

Investigators also said more than one person may have been involved.

Weapon recovered

On October 30th, 2008 homicide detectives recovered a handgun they believe to be connected to murder of Lawrence Bosiak.

Police said the weapon was recovered from the crime scene area and officers believe it is directly connected to the investigation.

The pistol is a Franz Stock Berlin and is considered quite rare. A larger image of the weapon can be seen here.

Investigators believe the weapon may have been stolen and asked anyone who might recognise the weapon to contact at the phone numbers, web sites and message services listed below.

Composite sketch released

On October 31st, 2008 homicide investigators released a composite sketch of a person of interest they were seeking in connection with the recent murder of Lawrence Bosiak.

Police said the person of interest was seen walking or running eastbound from the area of 139th Avenue and 37th Street at about the same time Bosiak was shot.

He was previoulsy described as having a dark complexion, approximately 5-feet 11-inches tall, in his mid 20s to early 30s, with short, dark hair and a sparse or patchy goatee, wearing a dark blue sweater and light-coloured pants.

A larger version of the sketch can be seen here.

Investigators said they did not know what role (if any) he played in the homicide. Officers also reminded the public they wish to speak with anyone who was in the area at the time of the murder.

Those with information about the death of Lawrence Bosiak were asked to contact Edmonton police at 780-423-4567, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or online at www.tipsubmit.com

Tips can also be text messaged. In Edmonton, text TIP250 + message and send to CRIMES (274637). In Northern Alberta, text TIP205 + message and send to CRIMES (274637).

Case placed on police unsolved murder web page

Ten days after Larry Bosiak was shot in his Clarewood apartment building stairwell, police placed his case on their unsolved murder web page.

“They did develop a few leads that our investigators are following up as we speak but as of right now we haven't located that person of interest," a police spokesman said.

"We're still actively seeking information regarding that person or the weapon that we sent the picture out on,” he added.

The Edmonton & Northern Alberta Crime Stoppers web site entry for Lawrence Nicholas Bosiak can be seen here.

The Edmonton Police Service web site entry for Lawrence Nicholas Bosiak can be seen here.

The events at the Clarewood Apartment building recalled a recent attack on another senior – also 77 years old.

On April 16th, 2008 Hans Alberts was fatally stabbed in the parking lot of the Jasper Gates shopping centre at Stony Plain Road and 149th Street.

What appeared to be a random attack earned Haldane Alexander Jensen-Huot, 23, a charge of first-degree murder.

All the information presented on this page has been compiled primarily from published media reports and should not be interpreted as having legal bearing or other prejudice against the individuals named on this web site.
The Last Link on the Left practices fair presentation and the disclosure of relevant interests.
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deadmonton 2008 - lawrence nicholas bosiak