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Ottawa man found dead in Denver hotel

Last Updated: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 | 12:55 AM ET

CBC News

An Ottawa man whose body was discovered in a Denver hotel might have died of cyanide poisoning, authorities say.

Saleman Abdirahman Dirie was found dead at a room in the Burnsley Hotel, located several blocks from Colorado state capitol building. Police said he had been dead for several days.

Investigators found a bottle of white powder in Dirie's fourth-floor room. Police said they are trying to identify the powder, but foul play is not suspected.

The medical examiner's office is awaiting toxicology results after conducting an autopsy Tuesday.

The discovery briefly prompted emergency officials to cordon off several streets around the hotel while the hazardous-material risk was assessed.

No other hotel guests or employees became ill and contamination has not been found elsewhere in the hotel, police said.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has said it is participating in the investigation.

With files from the Associated Press

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