A case of a sudden death

Hamilton police are guarding a house in the city’s east end where a body was found Tuesday.   Investigators aren’t saying who it is, but neighbours are concerned that it’s the body of a man missing since last winter.

Sean Leathong has the story.

I spoke with Hamilton police and they will only confirm that they are investigating what they are calling a “sudden death” here at 29 St. Matthews Ave.

In speaking with neighbors, they tell me that a man by the name of Peter Wald lives here, that he was once a very outgoing member of the community, but he has not been seen since last January and they fear that is who was found inside the house Tuesday. Word is that he had been ill, but no one could get a straight answer from his wife or their kids about Peter’s condition.

They tell me that Peter’s family lives here with their 6 children and as many as 5 other renters. They say that in the last several months, this family, who is known to be very religious, has gone from being very active members of the community, to cutting all contact with their neighbors.

Dianna Hanafi, neighbour: “They were so friendly and outgoing when they first moved here and this just happened in the last, January like I said. A week after new years, he dissapeared after giving me a boost and we all wondered what had happened to him.”

Patty Prenger, neighbour: “I would very much like to know what happened to this man, because he was very loved in this neighborhood.” Sean: when was the last time you saw him? “For me, I would say, mid January.”

Brenda Dennis, neighbour: “We’d been asking and asking and asking.” Sean: And what did they say? “He’s in Gods hands.”

Hamilton police said that there may be more information to be shared Wednesday but for now all they will say is that this is an ongoing investigation into a sudden death. Also, they will not say if it is being treated as suspicious.