Victim in Lepage Avenue homicide battled addictions, family says

A man whose death police are investigating as a homicide was so worried about his own safety after an altercation over drugs he took to carrying a screwdriver with him as protection, according to one of his brothers.

The body of Lonnie Leafloor, 56, was discovered Monday afternoon after police were called to 1400 Lepage Ave., an Ottawa Community Housing apartment building.

Police said a neighbour found the man's body inside the building and that the body had been there for several days.

His death has been deemed a homicide after an autopsy Tuesday, and Ottawa police say the incident is not believed to be a random event.

Neighbours heard argument, loud banging

Leafloor's brother Randy said his brother was worried about his life after a fight two weeks ago.

"It was all about drugs. This individual put a knife to his throat and threatened to kill him," said Randy Leafloor. " Since then he was walking around with a screwdriver because he was very scared this guy was going to come back to kill him."

One neighbour said he heard and saw Lonnie in a fight on Friday, yelling and screaming in the lobby of the apartment building, allegedly about money.

Another neighbour who lives above Leafloor's third floor apartment said she heard loud banging coming from below on Sunday but didn't go downstairs to investigate.

Struggledwith addictions

Randy Leafloor said his brother had once had a steady job as a truck driver but that after injuring his back 30 years ago he started using prescription painkillers, and that everything spiralled out of control.

"Before drugs were introduced he was a nice guy. He loved sports and his family. But drugs they're just so powerful. He had no control over it," he said.

Leafloor descended into a life of poverty and became an addict and resisted attempts to change, his family said.

One neighbour, who gave his name only as Gary, said he and Leafloor were friends.

"The more I got to know him the more I liked him, and the more people I talked to the more I heard that he would give you the shirt off his back, that's the kind of guy he was," he said. "You know, we lead rough lives and it's not always our choice."

Police are asking anyone with information can contact the major crimes unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5493.

Leafloor's death marks the city's seventh homicide of 2016.