‘Heartbroken’: Saskatoon family calls for investigation after grandpa, 96, found dead

WATCH: The family of a 96-year-old man found dead Tuesday is hoping to see a thorough review and improved safety measures put in place at his former care home.

The family of a 96-year-old man found dead in Saskatoon’s Fairhaven neighbourhood is hoping to see a thorough review and improved safety measures put in place at his former care home.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved grandfather. Obviously we are devastated and completely heartbroken,” granddaughter Ashley Benson Bonneville wrote in a statement to CTV News.

Her grandfather, 96-year-old William Hastie, died unexpectedly early Tuesday morning.

Hastie was staying at the Northern Light Care Home on Lochrie Crescent.

A staff member told CTV News Hastie was on what the care home considered a routine walk in the backyard when they believe he slipped on ice.

The staff member said workers found him and brought him inside.

According to Saskatoon police, when officers arrived on scene sometime around 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Hastie was dead.

The details of what happened are still under investigation, and a coroner is determining the exact cause of death. Police say they don’t believe foul play was involved.

For Hastie’s family, the death raises safety concerns for others who have relatives in care.

“As a family, we are hoping for a full investigation and review into his death to ensure appropriate accountability, and that immediate safety measures are put in place, so no other family has to go through something like this again,” Benson Bonneville said.

“We will miss him tremendously.”

Benson Bonneville said the family will not be making any further comments until the investigation has concluded, “out of respect for the police service, coroners office, staff and all others involved.”

-With files from Stacey Hein