The Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled the death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a 56-year-old Rohingya refugee, a homicide, citing a combination of medical and environmental factors that contributed to his death, officials said.
The medical examiner determined the cause of death was complications from a perforated duodenal ulcer, worsened by hypothermia and dehydration, and classified the manner of death as homicide. The classification reflects that another person’s actions or omissions contributed to the death; it does not establish intent to kill.
Shah Alam, who was nearly blind, spoke little English and used a cane, was found dead on a Buffalo street on Feb. 24, five days after being released by federal authorities. Surveillance video showed him walking away from a closed Tim Hortons after his release by U.S. Border Patrol agents. His family reported him missing before his body was discovered…