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Police have concluded their investigation into what was once thought to be Edmonton's fifteen homicide of 2008.

At about 4:00 p.m. on June 29th, 2008 50-year-old Andrew Rademacher was discovered lying in a pool of blood near an abandoned home near 95th Street and 107th A Avenue. He was suffering from serious wounds and was taken to hospital.

Rademacher remained in critical condition until the morning of July 4th when he succumbed to his injuries.

An autopsy was conducted but further testing is required to determine Rademacher's exact cause of death. While homicide detectives are now investigating the matter, the death is being treated only as suspicious.

"We still need to determine if he died as a result of his injuries," a police spokesman explained.

James Shoell was the man who called 911 when he found Rademacher on a patch of grass across from McCauley Elementary School.

"Dark, dirty; he looked really haggard," Shoell said, adding the man was curled up and bleeding from his mouth.

Foster Lewis was walking near his apartment down the alley when a woman came running towards him.

"She said her boyfriend passed out and could I call an ambulance," he said.

Rademacher's niece, Carmen Hatfield, said she became suspicious of his uncle's injuries when she saw him lying in a hospital bed.

"His injuries were so severe," Carmen said. "There's no way he could have gotten them in a fall."

The family had been contacted by Rademacher's common-law wife, 40-year-old Julie Starr.

Starr had told Rademacher's brother Robert that Andy was in the hospital after he slipped and hit his head on some concrete.

The family was surprised to learn from hospital officials that police had not been called in connection with the matter.

On June 30th, Andy's family were checking his haunts and ran into a woman who claimed she saw what happened. According to Hatfield, the woman saw a female throw Rademacher to the ground and beat him after he struck his head. The witness was put in touch with police.

On July 1st, Hatfield was at the spot where her uncle was attacked and spotted Julie Starr nearby.

"I called 911 and the police arrived within 10 minutes and arrested her," Carmen said.

Starr was charged with aggravated assault in connection with the matter and was scheduled to appear in court on July 17th, 2008. At the time police said additional charges may stem from further autopsy results.

Homicide ruled out

It took eight months before detectives could decide on how to proceed with the matter of Andrew Rademacher.

On February 5th, 2009 the medical examiner ruled out homicide as the man's cause of death.

"Now we can say, no further charges are expected," a police spokesman said, adding he could not reveal what exactly the examiner found to make the determination as the death was not deemed a homicide.

For its part, the medical examiner's office would not release the cause of death because they said they didn't know if the police investigation was complete.

In the past, Alberta Justice has stated that the Crown is bound to meet a very high standard of proving that a case is beyond a reasonable doubt.

The decision to lay a particular charge is based on evidence. In the Rademacher matter, it appears there would be no reasonable likelihood of conviction on charges of murder or manslaughter.

Rademacher's common-law wife, Julie Starr, remains charged with aggravated assault. Her trial was set begin May 25th, 2009.

Andrew Rademacher, the eldest of three brothers and three sisters, was born in Viking and grew up in Vegreville.

Radamacher was an alcoholic and left his job for a life on the streets about a decade ago, according to his niece Carmen Hatfield. However, he remained close to his family, especially his mother Vera who still lived in Viking.

"He spent last winter with grandma," Carmen said. "He was always thin, but she fattened him up.

"He was definitely my grandma's little boy, the first-born son. I just know right now she feels like her heart's been ripped out," Carmen said.

"My son was a very kind person," Vera Rademacher said. "He just got into the wrong thing at the wrong time. He goes to Edmonton, hangs out with homeless people, and this happens."

Vera disapproved of her son's relationship with Starr, Carmen added, describing the couple's relationship as 'stormy.'

"They were living together on the streets. It was off and on for about three years," she said.

Both had problems with alcohol, and about a week before the assault Rademacher was seen with two black eyes.

"He was taught by my grandma to never hit a woman," Carmen said. "He was always very kind and generous with whatever he had."

Near the boarded-up house and empty lot that neighbours said Rademacher and friends used to drink behind could be found mouthwash bottles hidden in the bushes. Those who make the street their home remembered the six-foot tall man.

"Taller than I am by quite a bit, and he was skinny," said Foster Lewis, who knew Rademacher and Starr by sight. They used to push two grocery carts through the streets, he said: one for their clothes, food and water, the other for cans and bottles.

Andy was well-liked by those who frequent the Bissell Centre.

"He helped people out when they were down," said Tommy Twin. "He'd help you get food, clothing."

"We loved him," Connie Willier said. "He had good respect, he had a good heart. He minded his own business."

On July 6th, 2008 Rademacher's family came in from Viking and lit candles at a memorial in front of the McCauley Senior's Drop-in Centre.

A funeral was planned for later in Viking.

deadmonton 2008 - other police matters - andrew rademacher