NORFOLK, Va. — An undetermined death investigation is underway after a construction worker died in Norfolk on September 23.
Officers were sent to 315 Colley Avenue around 8:30 a.m. and found a worker there who was responsive. He died at the scene. That location is near Eastern Virginia Medical School and a construction site.
On September 30, police identified the man as Evan Franklin, 25, of Portsmouth.
The death was surprising for people like John Hiles, a Norfolk man who walks past the site every day.
“It's a shock,” said Hiles. “My prayers and thoughts are with the family, and I hope they get some closure and they find out what happened and everything goes well for everybody after that.”
One of the owners of Walker and Laburg, a window manufacturing company, said the man who died was their employee. He described Franklin as a great person who worked hard and was a joy to have on his team.
He declined to say anything further and said he’s letting the police handle the investigation.
Details are scarce at this time, but detectives are currently looking into the circumstances of that day. Police said the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner would be determining the definitive cause of death.
EVMS released a brief statement on the worker's death:
"We are deeply saddened by this tragic death and our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased."
Police did say there are no signs of foul play at this time. No other details have been released at this time.