After a Vancouver man was found dead in Burnaby on Monday, investigators are asking the public for any information that may help with the investigation.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) stated today (January 14) that shortly after 7:20 a.m. on January 13, Burnaby RCMP received a report about the discovery of a deceased man on the street in the 6700 block of 4^th Avenue in Burnaby.

The man has since been identified as 51-year-old Joseph Vincent Morrissey of Vancouver.

According to investigators, his injuries were consistent with foul play and IHIT was called in to take over the case.

IHIT stated that while the investigation remains in its evidence-gathering stage, investigators believe the incident is connected to the drug trade in the Lower Mainland.

An autopsy will be conducted later this week.

“We don’t believe Joseph Morrissey’s death was random,” IHIT Sgt. Frank Jang stated in a news release. “We are appealing to those who knew Mr. Morrissey to help us answer the key questions of who was he meeting with and what he was doing prior to his death. Furthermore, we ask that anyone with dash camera footage or individuals who were walking in the area of Lakefield Drive and 4^th Street between the hours of 4 a.m. and 7:20 a.m. and may have observed suspicious activities to contact IHIT.” 

Anyone with information is asked to contact IHIT on their information line at 1-877-551-4448 or by email. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.