New details emerge in killing of Windsor senior as police search for suspects, motive

Police say they have no indication what spurred the death of a 69-year-old Windsor man last week, appealing to the public for any shred of information that will help them identify two suspects and a possible motive in the killing.

Investigators have now identified Reginald John Frickey as the victim of a homicide. At a Tuesday press conference, police revealed a few new details in the ongoing investigation. 

In an update to reporters, Staff Sgt. Ted Novak said it was Frickey's wife who arrived home to find her husband's body and alerted 911.

The home is still being processed for evidence, Novak said, and an autopsy has determined the death is a homicide and Frickey died of a head injury.

"As the investigation unfolded, it appears the offender is purposely avoiding security cameras at the residence," Novak said. That person is described as a white man with a stocky build, wearing a maroon hooded sweatshirt, black pants and dark shoes. 

"We believe he knew the cameras were there. So that's why we think he picked his residence," Novak said. "We don't have a motive right now."

Windsor police on Monday released security camera footage taken from the area around the home, showing two men in the early morning of Friday. They were seen in the 2300 block of Mercer Street, the 400 block of Lens Avenue and the 2400 block of Highland Avenue. 

The second man of whom police released footage is wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, grey pants, a black backpack and black running shoes with white soles. 

The two men are seen "walking past the deceased's residence at different times," and travelled westbound on Lens Avenue toward McDougall Avenue. Novak said they are canvassing for more video footage from the area. 

Police released Frickey's name on Monday with input from the family, Novak said, in the hopes that his identity would register with the public and pinpoint a motive. 

"It's tragic. We have our victim services assisting them, Novak said. "We discussed with them many options and looking at the various leads on what the motive could be. So they're helpful, but this is tragic."

While they believe it to be an isolated incident, Novak said nothing appears to have been stolen from the home and there was no indication of a forced entry.

There is some damage to the inside of the home, Novak added, and the victim was not known to police. 

Because of the time of the incident — Novak says they believe the fatal injury occurred between 6:30 and 7 a.m. — there were lots of cars and pedestrians in the area moving about their morning routines, and they have ruled out many of them. 

He described the surveillance footage as "generic."

However, they urge anyone in the area at the time to come forward. People can contact the Windsor Police Service major crimes unit or Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous. 

"We're appealing to if you saw someone matching those descriptions, get a hold of us. Did you see them get into a car? Did they get into a cab? Which way did you last see them [going]? And then we'll go to those areas and check for video there," Novack said. 

"It's imperative ... Anytime the public can help us, we need that help. We can't do it all by ourselves."