Police rule death as natural

ALBANY — A death on the 900 block of Lippit Drive first labeled suspicious Friday night was ruled a death by natural causes, an Albany Police Department official said.

“Willie James Brazier, 57, was ruled a death by natural causes after an examination by the coroner,” said Phyllis Banks, police spokeswoman.

Brazier’s remains were found before 9 p.m. by relatives looking into his welfare, Banks said. They called police after finding his body.

When uniform officers first responded to the scene they thought that there might be cause for an investigation, Banks said.

Banks would not say what led the officers to believe an investigation was necessary. However, Brazier had a history of medical problems, she added.

Following procedures, the area was treated as a possible homicide scene. Officers taped off it with yellow crime tape until the coroner made a ruling.

A call to the coroner Saturday about the death was not immediately returned.