Homicide team investigating ‘suspicious’ Downtown Eastside death: VPD

East Hastings Street signage is seen in this file photo from April 2018.

Five days after a man died in an alleyway on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, police are appealing for witnesses.

Paramedics were called about a man in “medical distress” in a laneway off the 100 block of East Hastings Street at 7:40 a.m. on March 20, the Vancouver Police Department said in a statement Wednesday.

“Despite life-saving efforts, the man was pronounced deceased. Due to the suspicious nature of his injuries, paramedics notified the police,” the statement from the VPD said, adding that the homicide unit is heading up the investigation.

No information about the man’s fatal injuries was provided and police did not indicate whether any suspects have been identified.

Witnesses and anyone else with information are urged to call 604-717-2500.