Randy Ponzio performs with Shad at Live at Squamish, photo: Kelsey Klassen

 

The local music community is mourning the death of Randy Ponzio after he was found in a Downtown Eastside rooming house Saturday.

The body of East Vancouver musician Bruce Randall “Randy” Ponzio was located after police received a call shortly before 5 p.m. to the Balmoral Hotel in the 100-block of East Hastings.

The 35-year-old solo musician and founder of Quest Poetics recently won the Shore 104.3 FM Song Search 2011 grand prize with his track For The People.

Vancouver police spokesperson Const. Lindsey Houghton said there were no obvious signs of trauma, but police are treating his death as suspicious. Police are awaiting autopsy results to determine the cause of death, he added.

Police appealed to the public in search of Ponzio, who went missing Nov. 15 after leaving a Vancouver residence at around 9 p.m. to go out for a walk.

“He failed to return and his disappearance sparked a search by police, family, friends, and many in the local music community,” Houghton said in a statement. “Despite extensive canvassing and searches in the Downtown Eastside, he was not located.”

Friends and fellow musicians turned to Facebook to expressed their grief and attest to the impact Ponzio had on those he met.

“I am still numb knowing I will never see that big smile of Randy’s again. His zest for life was contagious,” Dave Chesney wrote. “None of this makes any sense.”

Police are now appealing to anyone who saw Ponzio in his final days and hours to contact major crime investigators at 604-717-2500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

 

Editors Note: In the 5 years Ponzio lived in Vancouver, he never ceased in his quest to unite artists under the banner of Peace, Love, Foundation and Family. He has touched so many, and his passing is felt deeply in the close-knit music community. More than half of the $10,000 goal has been raised to help his three children in this difficult time. Please click here to donate.

A celebration of his life is planned for 6pm Monday, November 21st at the corner of Granville and Georgia. Attendees are encouraged to bring candles.