Vancouver has recorded its first and second homicides of 2009.
Following an autopsy held after the suspicious death of 77-year-old Carmelo Dibella, police have confirmed that he was murdered.
Dibella, who was not known to police, was found dead in his room at 16 East Hastings Street by a friend on January 8.
No arrests have been made and police are appealing for witnesses.
Meanwhile, police say more information could be released after a 65-year-old man was found dead in an apartment in the 900 block of Richards Street in downtown Vancouver.
It happened at around 11 p.m. Sunday night, and police say it is not related to the first murder.
The man's family has not yet been notified, so his name has not been released.
Investigators have not indicated if this appears to be a random or a targeted attack and say cause of death is not immediately available for both men.
Again, no arrests have been made and police are appealing for witnesses.
Last year at this time there were no homicides in the City of Vancouver, say police. The first took place on January 19, 2008.
With a file from The Canadian Press
