They included James Dodson found dead in a makeshift campground near the South Platte River, the victim of years of drinking. And Homer Thunderhawk who died during a fight over a bottle of cheap wine. Denver police homicide Sgt. Most died of natural causes. Some died violently.
Beatings are commonplace.
Denver Rescue Mission executive director Del Maxfield said the homeless are easy targets. Since Nov. 2, Denver detectives have been investigating four assaults on homeless men in the downtown area. They include fights over spots on the 16th Street Mall and robberies for radios and money. Because it's often difficult to locate relatives or friends of the homeless, police find themselves taking responsibility for the dead while trying to determine whether they died of foul play. Steve Walkup, the Denver Rescue Mission's director of programs, said many homeless are not aggressive until they drink or take drugs.