BANGOR, Maine — A 65-year-old man was found dead in the middle of Pickering Square early Tuesday morning, according to police.
The man, whose identity Bangor police Sgt. Paul Edwards would not disclose, was found at 1:15 a.m.
When police arrived, the man was lying in the middle of the square, on his back and unconscious, according to Edwards. Efforts to revive the man were unsuccessful.
The case remained under investigation Tuesday afternoon.
“At this time, it appears that his death is not a homicide, but it is way too early in the investigation to say one way or another,” Edwards said shortly after noon.
Anyone who was in the area of Pickering Square early Tuesday or has more information about the case is urged to contact Bangor police at 974-7382 and ask for Detective Tim Cotton. Those who wish may use the anonymous tip line by pressing 6.
I guess, given that it was Pickering Square, what would be suspicious these days?
my ignorance becomes of you… should it really make a difference WHERE he passed on at?? so because he passed away at pickering square it can’t be suspicious?? and for the Bangor PD to announce that this death is “absolutely not” suspicious BEFORE completing their investigation is about as far from professional as they’ve been lately. I’m sure the family would be impressed to know that they have made their decission before they’ve gotten all the facts. for all they know, this man could have been chased into pickering square in turn causing a heart condition . he could have been assaulted at one of the MANY local bars around the square, which in turn could have lead to his death… the Bangor PD needs to learn to keep their mouth shut until they have all the facts. another prime example of this would be the woman that was hit and killed on union street over the weekend, where a Sgt. was quoted in the paper as saying the victims injuries to him didn’t appear to be life threatening, and within 2 hours later she had passed. maybe just maybe if i wouldn’t have read that it didn’t appear to be life threatening i would have been more in a hurry to get to the hospital to check up on my friend…
They said that it wasn’t suspicious, they didn’t say that they were done investigating. They were probably trying to keep the media from sensationalizing this whole thing. Cut the cops a break, if the story just said they were investigating a dead body at pickering square, the rumors would be flying on here. Take you for example, suggesting he may have been chased and assaulted. And for the cop to say that, TO HIM the injuries didn’t APPEAR to be life threatening……that was probably his honest opinion when asked on the spot. Clearly, he did not say that she would survuve with 100 % certainty.
You are kind of making my point, to me it does not matter where this man passed away. My point was (and maybe this didn’t come through) when you hear of a body being found but nothing is suspicious, what WOULD ever be suspicious. To me, any time a person is found dead, in public, yeah, it starts off at suspicious. Is Pickering Square so full of weird situations that nothing there is suspicious any more (the point I was trying to make, again I apologize if that didn’t come through in my post).
Well maybe you should have gone through other family or friends and gone to the hospital instead of waiting for the local newspaper to inform you. Whats written about is most likely 1% of the story. Maybe Aliens came down and he couldn’t take the probing?? Sounds stupid right? Well so don’t accusations from those who know nothing about it.
Sad…R.I.P.
Ever hear of heart attack or other diseases that can cause death?
my apologies wrong persons
No I don’t I was replying to bear beets. He is suggesting it is a suspicious death even though Officer Edwards said it was absolutely not suspicious.
I think she was replying to bear beets as well…..
oh, sorry dkenzie!
No problem, have a great day
I apologize i was speaking to bear
A news story should report facts.
The man was found ALIVE not dead. “Officers found the man unconscious and efforts to revive him were unsuccessful,”
Therefore the death was “attended” which explains why police officers find it “not suspicious.”
A guess (on my part) would be that the night was hot and humid, not good weather for anyone with a heart condition.
See the difference? The first part (found alive) was fact. the second part (heart condition?) was speculation.
I dunno, was his heart beating? Was he breathing? It’s possible that he was dead as a doornail and they tried CPR anyways.
The point that someone is actually “dead” these days is fairly semantic. If you were revived from having no signs of life were you “dead”? If you can’t breathe or eat or pump your heart without mechanical intervention are you “alive”?
Modern medicine has outpaced the English language, is the real issue here.
Ok all you know-it-alls. My point was it is a poorly written story. You all have proven my point. Moving on now!
Are you a journalist? Or a teacher of journalism?
Who cares? Can we move on to the facts at hand now?
I’m with ya.
The story says that he was found unconscious. I wonder if it would be more accurate to say that he was found unresponsive? If thats the case, he may have died before anyone noticed him.
as a firefighter/emt. i’m going to tell you your wrong… you don’t try to revive a living person… if they we’re doing a full code, than this man was most certainly NOT alive when they arrived… with that sad, my thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family. what a sad way to have a life end, alone, in the middle of a “park”
Yes but the article doesn’t say who tried to revive. Obviously, someone called the police. Was it the people/person who found him or the police? Perhaps they should have used the word ‘unresponsive’ as opposed to ‘unconscious’?
As far as I know and may be wrong a police officer cannot “declare some one dead” it takes a doctor or Coroner”to say if some is dead.So everyone treats the person as alive until a determition is done by a professional.Otherwise allot of people would be dead if not treated as soon as they are found.So I believe unconscious is correct,I could be wrong but in either case my thought’s and prayers are with this persons family.
Maine statutes do not require a pronouncement of death
Never said “Pronounce” it was meant for Mark,who reffered to alive or dead just that all victims are treated as alive when found,or unless there are obvious signs of death.But thank you for responding.As far as Mark,try looking up the “Golden hour”life saving techniques,it’s pretty amazing these days.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_hour_(medicine)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_hour_(medicine)
You are totally correct with your statement . May he rest in piece
Depends how dead is dead. If someone has rigor mortis and is cold, then yes, police and EMS can declare them dead. Warm, with some evidence of recent life, they will try to revive.
really? someones Father/Brother/Son/Uncle is dead and all your worried about is the “proper” wording of the article?
Oh my oh my I should get myself all politically correct so I don’t offend anyone…..Not gonna happen.
Sadly Jessica, that’s how it is with EVERY article involving death or injury. Rather than feel any empathy for those left behind, or those recovering from thier injuries, the commenters here are instead quick to point out how they are so perfect and would have done things differently, or pick apart an article. Happens all the time.
…..
I agree. I’ll go further: most commenters feel they have a right to point out that an individual has a neck tattoo (gasp!) or their nose is bent (gasp!) or they are used up, addicted etc. etc. There but for fortune go you or I.
Printing/reporting inaccuracies to what actually happens causes speculation. Alot of the reporters in Maine needs to go back to school and learn how to report and go back to the basics. Just the facts…..
this used to be called yellow journalism . . .
No matter the story, I think his point is that good journalism is factual and consistent. Of course it’s too bad someone died.
People not caring about the factual nature of their news stories is exactly why most of the people in this country are brain washed idiots. You honestly think family members come here looking for your condolences or really care that you posted them?? I know I wouldn’t.
No, he was worried about the readers having the facts rather than what BDN believes to have happened and reports as facts. Condolences to the victim’s friends and family’s but if the story is going to be reported, the truly respectful way to do so would be by putting the time into investigating and writing the story and letting the public know what really happened.
Can someone not just die of NATURAL causes these days without people jumping to conclusions?
Why was he ( a 67 y/o man ) found in his state at 1:15 AM in Pickering Square ??? Think about it. Natural causes certainly would be one of many possibilities. Probably not the most likely. May he RIP.
Maybe…just maybe he was a homeless man…people also wonder around after the bars close….Think about it!
This man is deceased… May he Rest In Peace . Why would you not want to know why ??? Did you know him ???
It was incredibly hot and stifling yesterday. This was an older man, could be he was suffering from the oppressive heat and collapsed. It could be something else, but no one knows yet.
what a terriable way to pass!in the middle of downtown bangor maine!
Kind of rude do you think. Could be a heart attack, could be natural causes, it could be anything. Yes its Pickering Square, where all the druggies hang out with there kids, but maybe you should edit your comment. Peace Rip whoever you are its sad.
You wanted to be like NYC, Bangor.
Here it is.
Seriously ? Have you ever been to NYC ? NOT even close !!
He’s never been out of Bangor he’s too busy reading his bible of babble
you stay classy bangor
Can we hear another explanation about why the police don’t have more of a presence in Pickering Square?
As many may not be aware the Freeses building is home to many older, low income individuals and many in poor health. In fact half the building is a subsidized assisted living facility. This very well could have been a resident of the building in poor health that died of natural causes. May he rest in peace.
Really, i believe only 25 percent are older. Most of them are on disability or ssi which lets them live there,
50% of the building is an assisted living facility for 55+ low income individuals. As for the other 50% of the building they accept SSI and/or disability
The whole building gives preference to 55 or older.
Wrong. Freese’s gives preference to people who are 55 or older.
I hate to see people talking ill of this most wonderful, loving man (and those saying he was probably homeless and/or a drug addict, even though he wasn’t.) Many people are left empty without him and are feeling a deep, DEEP loss. It’s not every day when you meet somene who would not only give you the shirt off his back but also everything he has to his name. I am not going to post who he was currently because of privacy laws and disclosure and such but I hope to God you all take back [at least in your hearts] what you have posted here. Him being found in Pickering Square has nothing to do with what most are assuming and will only haunt the ones who loved him that much more. RIP. <3
I am so sorry for your loss. My occupation is such that I encounter elderly people in this area every day. Yes the comments about him being homeless, etc were premature. I believe this is attributed to all of the bad things happening downtown lately. Its given the public pre-conceived notions about the circumstances surrounding this mans death.The downtown/pickering square area has been subject to ill behaved people lately. I have witnessed this firsthand. Human nature creates our need to jump to conclusions. I agree that people should be ashamed of some of these posts. They are premature with those. They should wait for details to be released before forming an opinion, and even then should express their opinion in a respectful way. In the meantime, I pray that this mans loved ones find comfort in their memories.
Bangor daily needs to take this comment pages off the internet .This is a poor person who happens to be my brother .And to have people talk like they know it all is sick.He was not homeless he had a very nice place to live.He has a family who loves him and he knew Jesus to be is savior.He will be deeply missed I miss him already.I am sad that he will not call me any more just to say hi and to tell me he loves me and everybody in our family, Please be kind to a falling love one.Because some day it will be your turn.Thank you to the people who say nice things about my brother.
Dear sadbrother,
Call Bangor Daily News and ask to speak to the Editor. Inform them who you are and ask them to close and remove the comments section of this article. It’s shameful that a mourning family member has to intervene regarding comments made in the newspaper about their deceased loved one! That being said; I am very sorry for your loss Sir. You have my deepest sympathies and condolences. Prayers and peace to you and your family.
This comment section needs to be taken down.This man was not homeless he had a very nice place to live.He has a family who loved him very much.He knew Jesus as his savior and he prayed often.He will be missed ,He would call often just to say he cared and would ask how my day was going.He cared more about outher people than his own needs.He would give the shirt off his back .Please be kind to a brother who has fallen someday it will be your turn .NO one makes it out alive.
Your asking a lot of the BDN and its revenue stream. For every person that “clicks” through to a story they are paid by the advertisers. So the BDN leaves the comment section “up” for as long as possible, “removing” (maybe) offensive post through paid staff M-F and “volunteer moderators” nights and weekends, and laughing all the way to the bank.
It really is sad that the BDN allows posters to abuse the “guidelines for posting” but I really don’t think they care in the long run.
Some of the people who posted here should be ashamed of yourselves! Callous is a word that comes to mind! Going on about whether this poor soul died on the spot or at the hospital? Was he homeless, an alcoholic, or drug addict…Really? To the people posting about errors made by the BDN in the article. Congrats, you can pat yourself on the back and be proud! I bet if you go to the BDN and announce who you are, the newspaper will be so grateful they will fire whoever wrote the article and give you the job!
… In the meantime you’ve disrespected this man and his grieving family.
Many people miss you Amos. You were kind hearted and loved by many. You always brightened our day. I pray that you are happy and with Jesus now.