Neighbor Knew Suspicious Death Victim

Sioux Falls police are investigating a suspicious death in a northeast downtown neighborhood.   They were called to a home on the 1000 block of East 8th Street after the man living there didn't show up at work. It quickly became a crime scene investigation.

“He was a nice guy. He wasn't mean. He didn't do no harm to nobody.  He kept to himself,” Janine Crowe said.  She knew the victim.

Police have not released the victim's name as they continue their investigation. It began around 12:30 p.m. Monday. Neighbors watched as police cruisers flooded the busy street. Janine Crowe and her mother walked the sidewalks, eventually talking with investigators.

“First they didn't want to tell us that he died. They told us that he was hurt real bad,” Crowe said, “And when they found out who we were and that he was my mom's friend, they said he passed away and someone hurt him real bad.”

Police were still at the home as night fell, piecing together clues to help solve the suspicious crime. Crowe says few knew the victim who she remembers as being nice to family, including her toddler daughter.

“He was pretty much the nicest person you'd ever meet. And I don't know who would do that to him. He didn't know nobody. He kept to himself. He knew my mom good,” Crowe said.

Crime Lab officials joined investigators in the home Monday afternoon. Uneasiness followed as word spread of what happened in the neighborhood, especially for those such as Crowe who knew the victim.

“I always walk by myself. Now I know not to walk by myself,” Crowe said.

Police are not releasing the victim's name until they notify family members.