A man who was hospitalized after being beaten in Edson is dead.

Preston William Goulet, 42, was the victim of a “vicious” assault at the Moose Creek Hotel at 4805 4 Avenue in Edson around 8:10 p.m. of Nov. 11, according to Mounties.

He was taken to hospital with serious injuries. He died in an Edmonton hospital on Nov. 15.

Mounties are scheduling an autopsy with the medical examiner’s office and are continuing the investigation said Cpl. Hal Turnbull, spokesman for “K” Division RCMP.

Some in the community are saying the death sounds like a hate crime. Goulet was a prominent member of the Edson LGBT community.

Rachel Carr, a teacher in the community, said he was beaten to death in front of a crowd at the local bar. The man who beat him claimed he was receiving unwanted attention from Goulet, Carr said.

Turnbull said there wasn’t any initial evidence to suggest the attack was a hate crime, but they are reviewing video evidence and speaking with witnesses.

In 2013, Goulet – a manager of the ATB – spoke to the Edson Leader about a $1,000 donation to the Edson Kids in Sports Association.

“We have a lot of underprivileged kids in Edson who don’t get the chance to play a sport,” Goulet said.

The bank also donated a two-year-old spruce tree and gave out seedlings to members of the community.

Christopher Ronald Edward Harrison, 37, of Edson is charged with aggravated assault.

Harrison was released on bail on Nov. 13 and is scheduled to make his first appearance in provincial court on Dec. 15.

Turnbull said additional or upgraded charges will be made pending the result of the autopsy.

The family has asked for privacy.

catherine.griwkowsky@sunmedia.ca

@SunGriwkowskyC