RCMP have identified the person found dead on the side of the road west of Edmonton on Monday afternoon.
Christian Sidney Mark Grayhorseman, 20, was the victim of homicide, Mounties said. His body was found on Sundance Road.
“In the afternoon of Dec. 26, two individuals called the Stony Plain RCMP to report that they had made a discovery in the area of Sundance Road on the Paul First Nation. They came upon a body just off the side of the road,” Cpl. Curtis Peters said.
“It was two individuals who were in a vehicle at the time of the discovery and they saw something on the side of the road and went to take a look,” he explained.
On Thursday, police said his death was the result of foul play but did not release any further details.
Sources tell Global News the body was found in a hockey bag.
Grayhorseman was from the Edmonton area. He also went by the name “Sonny” or “SonShine.”
READ MORE: RCMP investigating after body found on Paul First Nation
“I was heartbroken. I was shocked,” friend Jynelle Hamelin said. “Out of everyone, it had to be him. He didn’t really get to live his life the way he wanted to.”
Jynelle said she’ll miss her friend’s kind spirit.
“It didn’t matter who you were to Sonny, he would always be nice to you. Even if you had a bad pass with him or he didn’t know who you were or what you were, he would always be nice to you.”
“I knew that he had a rough time, at home and in Peace River, but everyone would like him in their own certain way,” family friend Sonia Hamelin added. “I just loved him because he reminded me so much of my son.”
“The biggest thing was his smile and just his heart. His heart was so big.”
RCMP do not know what his connection was to Paul First Nation.
“We don’t know exactly what led to Mr. Grayhorseman being in that area and that’s something we would like some assistance from the public with,” Peters said. “Anyone who may have been in contact with Mr. Grayhorseman in the week leading up to his unfortunate death, we’d like to speak to those people.”
“I don’t have any info on Mr. Grayhorseman’s previous activities or previous involvement with police. I can’t comment on his previous involvements.”
The major crimes units from Edmonton and Stony Plain are investigating.
On Tuesday morning, several officers were on scene, taking photos and stopping vehicles.
As of Thursday, no one had been taken into custody in relation to the incident.
RCMP didn’t know how long the body had been there before it was discovered.
“The time of death is also something the medical examiner’s office assists with with their portion of the investigation,” Peters said.
Anyone who may have spoken to Grayhorseman in the last month is urged to call Stony Plain RCMP at 780-968-7267.
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