The man who may be Vancouver' ninth homicide of the year, Rick Marques, was well known in the Portuguese community, according to a friend of the victim.
Jose Oliveira said the victim, who was in his 40s, was left with disabilities many years ago by a motorcycle accident but remained fiercely independent.
"He wants to be independent," said Oliveira. "He doesn't want to depend on anybody else."
Marques was also an ICBC RoadSense speaker, who would speak to high school students about the dangers of speeding.
One of the victim's relatives discovered Marques' body in an apartment complex in the 2200 block of East 30th near Nanaimo on Monday. Homicide detectives were on the scene at about noon.
Police have not officially identified the victim but are treating the death as suspicious. They do not believe the incident is gang-related.
An autopsy is being conducted.
Sgt. Richard Akin of the Vancouver Police Department is asking anyone with any information to contact police.
