Police have released few answers as of today (Wednesday) into the homicide investigation involving the man who was found lying on Lonzo Road in Abbotsford Sunday night and died at the scene.
The Abbotsford News has learned that the victim was 38-year-old Giuseppe (Joe) Zecca. No details have yet emerged as to how he died or, if it was murder, what the motive might have been.
Investigators have only said it is not believed that Zecca had injured himself or had fallen.
Abbotsford Police were called to the scene – on Lonzo Road west of Sumas Way near the corner of Vedder Way – at 11:08 p.m. Sunday after a driver saw Zecca lying on the street.
The area is just north of Highway 1 near the Sumas Way on- and off-ramps and adjacent to a park-and-ride lot.
Emergency crews arrived on the scene and attempted to render assistance, but Zecca was pronounced dead at 11:25 p.m.
Police determined that Zecca’s injuries were suspicious, and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) was called in.
All of Lonzo Road and a portion of Vedder Way were taped off for most of Monday as investigators remained on the scene, and a smaller portion was still cordoned off yesterday (Tuesday) while police were at a homeless camp – under the Highway 1 overpass – near where Zecca was found.
IHIT has not yet released any new details, including whether Zecca’s death has been confirmed as a murder.
Sources told The News that Zecca was homeless at the time of his passing, but he is not believed to have been living in the camp near the scene of his death.
Zecca’s Facebook page indicates he was living in Surrey at the time of his last post in October 2014, and it appears he only recently came to Abbotsford.
Anyone with information about Zecca’s death is asked to contact the IHIT tip line at 1-877-551-4448 or Crime Stoppers at 1-880-222-8477.