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Update on Incident at 414 Pickney

September 2, 2005 -- Houston police have learned the identity and cause of death of a man found at 414 Pickney on August 27, 2005 about 12:10 p.m.

The victim has been identified as Raymond Michael Cotton, 49, who was homeless. The Harris County Medical Examiner's office determined he died from blunt trauma and ruled the death a homicide.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant J. Binford and Officer R. Swainson reported:

A homeless person flagged down a Harris County Sheriff's deputy and advised him that a dead person was located in a warehouse nearby. The deputy searched the area and located the badly decomposed body of a male in a vacant pipe distribution warehouse building. The building had several bedding areas present and it was littered with food items and empty bottles as if people frequented the property. No other person was found there at the time of the investigation.

Anyone with information in this case is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

MES/JFC 9-2-05
JGA 8-28-05
Inc#131271605

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.