Man found dead with cyanide was schizophrenic

DENVER – The man who was found dead in a Burnsley Hotel room near about a pound of sodium cyanide suffered from schizophrenia.

The Canadian newspaper Ottawa Citizen also reports that Saleman Abdirahman Dirie, 29, had no criminal record.

The Denver County Coroner confirmed Thursday that Dirie's body tested positive for cyanide during an autopsy.

Federal officials have told NBC News that Dirie, apparently mixed the sodium cyanide with water and drank it. Traces of cyanide were found in a glass next to the man's bed, the official says.

The same official also says the almond smell, commonly associated with cyanide poisoning, was strong when the coroner performed the autopsy.

This could suggest the man took a large quantity of the powder before his body was found on Monday. Investigators believe this may indicate he knew very little about cyanide since only a small amount is needed to kill a person.

Fire officials say they found a bottle containing about a pound of the white powder, or between a pint and a quart by volume.

That amount is enough to kill hundreds of people, according to University of Denver professor Andrew Ternay.

Ternay says cyanide is obtainable, though it is not sold at retail stores. Several Internet sites claim to offer sodium cyanide for sale.

Police say they don't suspect foul play and the FBI says there's no apparent connection to terrorism.

Investigators say Dirie had been dead for several days when his body was found on Monday. He is from Ottawa.

Acquaintances say the Dirie family came from Somalia and are now Canadian citizens.

Neighbors near where Dirie lived said he was a very quiet man. They said they were shocked Dirie was found dead with cyanide.

Cyanide is a fast-acting chemical that prevents the body from processing oxygen. It is used in manufacturing, metallurgy and pest extermination.

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