Moosehead scion's death ruled homicide

The death of Richard Oland, a businessman and member of New Brunswick's Moosehead family,has been ruleda homicide, the Saint John Police confirmedMonday.

Oland, 69, was found dead last Thursday near his Canterbury Street office in Saint John.

Bill Reid, the chief of the Saint John Police, said the investigation has led police to confirm it was a homicide, but they are still not saying whether a weapon was involved.

Reid told a Monday afternoon news conference that Oland and the killer likelyknew each other.

"I would suggest to you [that] at the end of the investigation, we will find that the perpetrator and victim knew each other," Reid said.

In a news release, Reid added the death did not appear to have been a random act.

"Preliminary results of the autopsy, coupled with the evidence at the scene, clearly indicate that Richard Oland was a victim of foul play," Reid said.

"There is no evidence at this time to suggest that this was a robbery, or a random act."

Police will not say whether there are any suspects.

Fifteen Saint John Police officers are investigating the death.

Oland leaves wife, three children

Reid said there is no reason to believe anyone else in the Oland family is in danger.

Oland is survived by his wife and three children.

The Oland family owns Moosehead Brewery, but Richard Oland left the company in the 1980s. His brother Derek now runs the brewery as its executive chairman.

Derek Oland and Jane Toward, his sister,issued a statementon Sunday, thanking the community for the support.

"Richard is being remembered kindly by many in the community and elsewhere and we truly appreciate these words of comfort," the family statement said.

"Like our father and mother, Richard gave a great deal of himself and his resources for the betterment of Saint John and the larger New Brunswick community. We are grateful for these and his many other contributions."

Oland became a competitive sailor, who participated in races around the world.

Last year, he won the International Rolex Regatta in St. Thomas.

He was instrumental in helping Saint John get the 1985 Canada Games. He was also involved in finding a new home for the New Brunswick Museum in downtown Saint John.