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Edmonton police are investigating the city’s first homicide of the year after a 24-year-old man was found dead in a northeast alleyway.

At about 10 p.m. Sunday, police received a call for assistance from Edmonton Fire Rescue Services after a report of a fire in the area of 126 Avenue and 73 Street.

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When they arrived, they found the body of Aaron Watt.

A short time later, officers were called to the scene of a vehicle fire north of the Evergreen mobile home park, near 173 Avenue and Meridian Street, where a burned silver 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander was found. Homicide investigators believe both scenes are connected.

“The information we have gathered supports that both scenes are connected because the burned vehicle is associated to Mr. Watt. The vehicle was also observed on video surveillance in the area where Mr. Watt’s body was burned,” said acting Staff Sgt. Michelle Greening.

Investigators are looking to speak with any gas station staff or customers who saw anyone buying or filling a red plastic five-litre Scepter gasoline jerry-can, who may have been travelling in a silver 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander between the hours of 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Sunday. Greening said there is a possibility the jerry-can was purchased at a department store and any business owner that sells the model should be aware of recent purchases from their store.