79-year-old man found dead inside Nanaimo coffee shop identified as victim of homicide - Action News
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British Columbia

79-year-old man found dead inside Nanaimo coffee shop identified as victim of homicide

Nanaimo RCMP have identified the manfound dead inside a local coffee shop last Saturday morning.

Eric Kutzner's family says he was a 'smiling face' at the coffee shopevery morning

An RCMP badge on an officer's arm.
Nanaimo RCMP have identified 79-year-old Eric Kutzner as the man killed inside the Buzz Coffee House on Rutherford Road. (CBC News)

Nanaimo RCMP have identified the manfound dead inside a local coffee shop last Saturday morning.

Police say 79-year-old Eric Kutzner was killed and an individual found inside theBuzz Coffee House on Rutherford Road was arrested.

On Monday, RCMP said29-year-old Jason Turokhadbeen charged with second degree murder

In a statement issued at the time of the crime, Nanaimo RCMP Const. Gary O'Brien said there was no connection between the two and called the occurrencearandom incident with a tragic outcome.

RCMP said they were releasing the man's name at the request of family.

"Eric was a vibrant member of society." the familysaid in a brief statement Wednesday. "He volunteered and was a champion for the disabled in Creston and for senior's housing in Nanaimo."

The family also said he was a "smiling face" at the coffee shopevery morning"coming in to make sure we had fresh muffins and almond croissants."

"He truly cared about his family and friends and made new friends every day in his travels around Nanaimo."

The family is asking for privacy.

Turok remains in police custody awaiting his next court appearance.