Family learns homeless relative died 4 months ago

A Manitoba family is shocked to just now be learning their brother died in April 2013.

"We were never notified," Patrick Hall said.

Hall said his family found out on Monday that their brother Wilson Hall was dead after they filed a missing person's report with police.

The family said they were told the 64-year-old had a heart attack on a Winnipeg street and was rushed to St. Boniface Hospital, where he died.

Wilson Hall was homeless and lived on the streets. His family said it wasn't unusual to go a few months without seeing him. But after three months had passed, they became more concerned.

"His last place of residence was the Booth Centre," Patrick Hall said. "I went there three times and left notes for him, but because of privacy laws they wouldn't release anything about him."

Wilson Hall's body was released to the the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Officials said his identity was known and an investigation was conducted. A spokesperson said there was no next of kin on file. Hall's brother, William, said he's disappointed to have to wait months before learning what happened to Wilson.

"They could have found out had they looked," William Hall said. "But I don't really think they made an effort."

Hall's body was buried at the Brookside Cemetery.

"I don't even know where his plot is," William Hall said. "They just gave me some number to go on."

The medical examiner's officer said another investigation has been launched to look into why the family was never notified.