The medical examiner determined Haas died from blunt trauma to the torso and ruled the death a homicide.
CAMDEN, N,J. -- Camden County authorities are asking for the public's help after releasing photos of a homicide victim, hoping someone may recognize him or recall seeing him over Easter weekend.
Investigators say the death of Thomas Haas Jr., 51, has been ruled a homicide. He was found on the sidewalk in the 500 block of Clinton Street and later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Detectives are now investigating the case as a possible assault. Haas' niece, Jade Haas, described him as a positive presence in her life and said he was like a father to her when she was young. 'A lot of people knew him for how optimistic he was. He was known for turning bad situations into good ones,' she said.
According to Camden County detectives, Haas was found on Monday, April 6. A neighbor said he called 911 after seeing Haas lying on the sidewalk. Haas was taken to Cooper University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The medical examiner determined Haas died from blunt trauma to the torso and ruled the death a homicide. Jade Haas said her uncle had been homeless and struggled in recent years, but she emphasized that no one had the right to harm him. 'I just hope we can find who did this, why they did this. He didn't always make the best choices, but it was his life. And it wasn't someone else's decision to make for him,' she said.
Authorities have released surveillance images showing Haas and the clothing he was wearing in the days before his death. Investigators say no crime has been captured on camera so far. They are asking for information about where Haas was and who may have had contact with him during the weekend before he died.
'Especially for my mom, she's taking this very, very hard. They were very close. And I just want closure for my family,' she said.
Neighbors in the area say that Haas was known to frequent the neighborhood where he was found, and said police have returned to the scene multiple times as part of the ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Camden County Prosecutor's Office Homicide Unit or Camden County Police.
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