Hamilton police continue to investigate sudden death

(Update)

The Coroners office is investigating a disturbing find. As CHCH first reported Tuesday night at 11, a body was found inside a Hamilton home. Neighbours believe the remains are of Peter Wald, and think they could have been there for up to seven months, while 13 other people continued to live there.

Cindy Csordas has more details.

Neighbours say they haven’t seen Peter Wald since January. The Sheriff arrived Tuesday to evict as many as three families from this home because the bank was repossessing the house. That’s when the discovery was made.

It now makes sense to neighbours why this second floor window was covered in a thick blanket of flies.

Carmela Colanardi is a neighbour: “We no believe it a body was inside the house. I can’t believe it even now the body was inside.”

Neighbours believe the body is that of Peter Wald and that his corpse may have rested in the house on St. Matthews Avenue in Hamilton for several months. The sheriff arrived Tuesday morning to evict people who live here. After that, police were called.

Brenda Dennis lived next door: “About 2 weeks into January was the last time we saw Peter in this house. He was getting out of his van and he was having a hard time walking. So we’d ask his wife, how he’s doing and she would say he’s in the hands of God.”

Neighbours say Peter Wald was in his early fifties and suffered from diabetes. They also say he was a father of 6, deeply religious and a good man.

Brenda: “This man would do anything for anybody. It’s not right. And now we can’t even say goodbye.”

Neighbours say 14 people lived inside this house, including 2 toddlers.

The coroners office confirmed the body had been there for more than one week but did not release the name of the dead person.

Carmela: “I can’t sleep last night. I was think about him all the time cause he was a good guy.”

It’s now up to the coroners office to investigate. They’re conducting an autopsy on the body to determine who it is, the cause of death and whether or not it was preventable. Depending on the findings, charges could be laid related to negligence causing death.