At about 4:30 a.m. Friday, September 4th, 2009 an anonymous 911 caller alerted authorities to an injured man lying on the ground in front of an apartment building just east of downtown.
25-year-old Manoli Rurak died later in hospital.
The incident was initially investigated with the assistance of homicide detectives as it was several days before an autopsy determined that Rurak died as the result of being struck by a vehicle.
The call came from a payphone at 94th Street and Jasper Avenue. Rurak was found about ten blocks away in front of the Able Arms apartment building at 10955 84 Street.
Paramedics determined that Rurak was in cardiac arrest, suffering from broken bones and severe road rash. He was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital where he died from his injuries.
Homicide detectives were called out as police apparently at first didn't believe the matter was a simple hit-and-run accident. Also assisting were members from the traffic and forensics sections.
No vehicle was located at the scene, and officers went door-to-door in an effort to determine if an assault had taken place.
Police were also interested in identifying the payphone caller to determine whether they may have a connection to the man's death.
"We don't know what happened, basically," Insp. Terry Rocchio said.
"Hopefully with everybody involved we can piece it together and find out what happened."
Police believe the man suffered his injuries some time between midnight and 5:00 a.m.
"We don’t know what happened to this fellow, so if anybody has any information, please give us a call," Rocchio said.
"It is imperative that we speak to the individual who made the initial 911 call," homicide Detective Frank Metselaar stated in a news release.
"This person may have information that will help us understand exactly what happened this morning."
Some residents described seeing paramedics work on a man who appeared in his 20s, wearing shorts, skater shoes and a T-shirt that was slightly pulled up.
His body was lying in front of a 'For Rent' sign – a ball cap and a pair of headphones marking the spot.
On September 8th police announced that an autopsy determined that Manoli Rurak had died as the result of being struck by a vehicle.
Officers continued in their attempts to identify the person who placed the call to 911 following the incident.
"I can’t stress enough how important it is for the original caller to come forward," EPS Traffic Section Staff Sergeant Bill Horne said in a news release.
"We need to speak to anyone who has information that can help solve this case for the sake of the victim and his family."
Police revealed the vehicle involved was possibly a silver-coloured car.
Investigators were anxious to determine whether the vehicle intentionally hit Rurak or if the matter was simply an inadvertent hit-and-run accident.
In the meantime, while police list Rurak as Edmonton's 26th traffic fatality of 2009, his death remains classed as suspicious.
Family described Manoli, known as "Mike" to friends, as an artistic and charitable man who had moved to Canada from the Ukraine when he was five years old – read more »
Standing near the spot where Manoli was found, his mother and sister braved the media and appealed to those responsible for his death to come forward.
"That is the only brother I have and will ever have. What you have done is very wrong," Rurak’s sister Angelika Yacey said.
"You’ve had six days to think about your actions ... It is time to do the right thing; confess your sins and come forward.
"It's very important," Angelika said. "Any detail would help."
Manoli's mother sought closure.
"I'm crying every minute, every second because I don't know who killed my son," Tatiana Rurak said.
"Just to know who did it would take pain from my soul," she said. "Sometimes it's an accident. You never know. But why not help? Why leave the person to die?"
Manoli, who lived with his mother, had gone to a nearby Husky convenience store to grab some late-night food the morning he died.
Tatiana had fallen asleep and when she woke just after 4:00 a.m., her son was gone.
She wandered downtown, desperately looking for her son. When she returned home, two detectives greeted her.
"Nobody knows what happened to him," Tatiana said.
Though Manoli had dropped out of high school, he planned to return to graduate and then enroll in a graphic design school.
Described as a talented artist with an eye for detail, Manoli had nearly completed several graphic novels that he hoped to have published.
"He was drawing from the time he was able to," Tatiana remembered.
"He was drawing from the time he could hold a pencil," Angelika echoed.
Other samples of Manoli's artwork, along with tributes from friends, can be seen on his Facebook page.
Prayer services for Rurak were set to be held September 10th, 2009 at St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Catholic Church, 12726 119 Street, with a funeral and interment to follow the next morning.
Those with information about the matter 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).
A fatal hit-and-run last took place in Edmonton on August 27th, 2009 when a vehicle ran over 34-year-old Kyle William Swimmer in the parking lot of the Marriott Courtyard Hotel at 99th Street and Jasper Avenue.
Police continue to look for a woman seen driving an early 2000 compact or mid-sized 4-door sedan, black and clean, with minimal damage to the front end. Homicide detectives were not involved in that matter.
The Edmonton Police Service issued a warning about a person they consider to be a violent sexual offender who poses a risk of significant harm to the community – read more »
Those with information about any of the matters covered above were asked to contact Edmonton police at 780-423-4567, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), Project KARE at 780-495-KARE (5273) or 1-877-412-KARE (5273) 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).
