Winnipeg police are asking the public to help them identify two "persons of interest" who had contact with Henry Kipling before he died early Saturday morning, including a female who was seen wearing a "distinctive" pair of camouflage pants.

Emergency crews found Kipling, 43, in the 800 block of Winnipeg's Main Street around 3 a.m. on Saturday. He was transported to hospital in critical condition, where he died.

Police have said they believe Kipling was assaulted on two separate occasions by two different people.

On Wednesday, police released surveillance video images of a female and a male who investigators believe were among the last people to have had contact with Kipling before he was taken to hospital.

Image | Henry Kipling

Caption: Kipling, 43, died after he was assaulted outside the Northern Hotel early Saturday morning. (Supplied)

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Const. Jason Michalyshen said investigators hope people who were in the area early Saturday morning may recognize the "distinctive black and white camouflage pants" worn by the female.

"These individuals were involved in what we believe is an assault or having contact with our victim prior to him being transported to hospital," Michalyshen told reporters.

"Our focus is on these individuals — not necessarily solely on these individuals, but right now we are trying to identify who these individuals are."

Michalyshen said police do not believe the two people knew Kipling, who was in the city for a wedding social at the time of the attacks.

Anyone with information about the two people shown in the images, or about the events leading up to Kipling's death is asked to contact investigators are 204-986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).

Earlier this week, the manager of the Northern Hotel told CBC News that Kipling was waiting to buy beer at the hotel's beverage vendor when "some woman started yelling at him and then hit him in the face."

Keith Horn said the woman was removed from the bar, but she continued attacking Kipling after he purchased his beer and went outside with his friends.

Kipling was not bleeding following the first incident, and his friends helped him to his feet, said Horn.

Horn said security camera footage from his hotel captured the second attack, in which Kipling appeared to have been assaulted by one or two males who ran away with his beer.