A homeless, disabled man who was found horrifically killed last week in Vancouver was a father of two that struggled with a long-time battle with drugs.

Michael Ciro Nestoruk, 41, who was confined to a wheelchair and only had one leg, was found last Thursday by parents dropping off their children at Sir Guy Carleton Elementary.

Vancouver police are asking for help in their investigation into the "disturbing" death.

When his body was found next to the school, it was naked from the waist down, police said. Nestoruk's pants, shoes and wheelchair were found nearby.

"He was a homeless, defenceless victim and this is truly a disturbing and heinous crime," Vancouver police Const. Lindsay Houghton told reporters.

He said even seasoned investigators were shaken by the nature of Nestoruk's death.

In a 2007 interview with a local newspaper, Nestoruk said he had struggled with an addiction to heroin and cocaine for years.

That interview was a follow-up story after he was photographed in 2006 lying in a park with all of his personal belongings around him. He said he became homeless because of his drug addiction, losing his leg and his family problems.

But in 2007, it appeared Nestoruk had turned it all around, in an effort to be a better father to his children.

With help from the B.C. Paraplegic Association he went to rehab and began using a prosthetic leg. He was even selected to join the province's wheelchair tennis team.

But at the time of his death, his friends say he had fallen off the wagon again and was back on the streets.

"He had his own place but I guess because of the drugs they kicked him out," his friend, Jerry, who is also homeless, told CTV British Columbia.

"He was a pleasant guy, just easy going. I have no idea (who would kill him)."

Police are not saying how Nestoruk died, but are appealing for help as they investigate the murder -- the 13th of the year in the city.

Politicians gathered on Monday near the scene of the crime to criticize the federal government response to homelessness in the area.

"The killing of Michael Nestoruk has affected this community profoundly," NDP MLA Adrian Dix said. "For us as representatives this is a truly important event. It is unacceptable to us that this sort of violence happens."

The investigation

A statement on the Vancouver Police Department website says anyone who saw a man in a wheelchair between midnight and 6 a.m. on April 9, should contact the homicide department.

"If they saw a man in a wheelchair or anything suspicious, if they can look back into their minds and please get a hold of our investigators," Houghton said.

Nestoruk was known in the area, and often panhandled nearby, Houghton said.

Residents of the area said homeless people sometimes take shelter on the school grounds.

Maj. Ken Ritson of the Salvation Army said he hopes the death will serve as a reminder that Vancouver's homeless population faces many challenges.

"I hope that through an incident like this, that the general public will want to reach out and want to help them ... they're somebody's son, somebody's daughter -- they need help," he told CTV British Columbia.

Classes were cancelled at the east Vancouver school after Nestoruk's body was found. Students are expected to return to school on Tuesday as scheduled.

Police have not said whether they believe the attack was random or if Nestoruk was targeted.