Body found near Elbow Falls

Police probe homicide, arson links
Police scour the area near Elbow Falls where a man's body has been discovered.

Sarah Chapman and Peter green, with files from Jamie Komarnicki, Calgary Herald
Published: Sunday, November 12, 2006 Link

Homicide investigators are looking into the possibility that a body found near Elbow Falls is that of a well-known Calgary man missing since Tuesday.

Brian Wayne Kullman, 39, an avid cyclist, has not been seen for five days.

And arson investigators have been poring over his Inglewood home since a neighbour alerted the fire department to smoke in the residence on Wednesday.

A friend told the Herald on Saturday that news of Kullman's disappearance has left friends and family worried.

"We went out to a movie (last) Saturday -- that's why it came as such a shock to me," said Rob Kattenburg, who has known Kullman for about 20 years. Kattenburg described Kullman as "a laid-back guy" who works as a well services programmer in Calgary.

On Friday, emergency crews were called to Highway 66 southwest of Bragg Creek where a man's body had been found. Tape blocked off the roadside turnout on Saturday near a hill leading to a ravine.

Forensic investigators were on scene for much of the day, climbing over the guardrail to the grassy stretch tucked among the trees of Kananaskis Country.

The fire in Kullman's home caused minimal damage, but by Thursday further suspicious circumstances led arson investigators to call in the homicide unit.

"When (arson) came back the next day, they saw some things to them that looked out of sorts and requested homicide to assist them," said Duty Insp. Luch Berti.

Berti said police have no suspects for the arson or Kullman's disappearance, but added police hope more tips from the public come in.

Police say the death of the man near Elbow Falls is suspicious, and are investigating to see whether the body is in fact Kullman.

"We are collaborating, forensically, with the RCMP to determine whether there is a crossover between their discovery and our investigation into the missing person," said Calgary police Duty Insp. Guy Slater on Friday. "However, nothing will be determined until a positive identification and autopsy has been completed."

Staff Sgt. Barry Cochran of the Calgary police homicide unit was at Elbow Falls on Saturday.

He said no vehicle was found near the man's body.

Mounties said someone notified Kananaskis Emergency Services of the body and crews were sent to the scene near Highway 66 southeast of Bragg Creek on Friday.

Kullman's family did not wish to comment when contacted Saturday.

Kullman is a well-known cyclist, who often rides west of Calgary. On his online blog, he calls himself "the king of the mountains."

Kattenburg said Kullman is well-liked and a passionate athlete.

"As far as I knew, he'd go home and he'd train," he said. "He had his own training equipment in his basement and that's his life."

Police said he was last seen by friends and family on Tuesday at about 11:30 p.m.

His car, a silver 2003 Mercedes Benz C240 station wagon, with Alberta licence plate EJT 768, was recovered in a southeast Calgary business parking lot early Saturday.

The vehicle, which was not damaged, is being examined by the Forensic Crime Scene Unit.

"(There was) nothing out of the ordinary -- it wasn't totalled or it wasn't involved in an accident," said Duty Insp. Luch Berti.

schapman@theherald.canwest.com