Barrie Police have identified the victim in a suspicious death investigation as 45-year-old Brett Wickett.
The Barrie man died shortly after 8 p.m. on Canada Day after being admitted to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre with obvious signs of trauma earlier in the day around 1:30 p.m.
An autopsy conducted Monday identified the preliminary cause of death as a blunt force head injury.
Police believe Wickett suffered his injuries during a fight Friday night with another man, police believe to be 37-year-old Bryan Smith of Barrie.
The altercation took place in the parking lot behind a townhouse complex located at 188 Anne St. South.
Police believe Smith is currently in the Midland-Penetang area and are urging him to contact investigators or turn himself in.
"We are considering Smith a suspect at this time and urging him to contact detectives to speak to them immediately," said Const. Nicole Rodgers.
The victim and suspect were known to each other, according to police, and investigators do not believe there is a concern for public safety at this time.
There was evidence of a bonfire on the pavement in the rear parking lot of the townhouse complex.
A man who asked to remain anonymous to avoid trouble didn't witness the incident but says bonfire parties are a weekly occurrence.
"It's like a regular routine thing every weekend. It's a gathering and they drink and sit around the fire and chat. Then you get the odd one that might get a little out of hand and carry on."
But he never expected it to get 'this bad.'
"It sounded to me from what I hear it was pretty rough going," the man said.
Wickett's Facebook said he hailed from Orangeville but now lived in Barrie.
He worked in the paint department at Valmont West Coast Engineering on Ellis Dr. and had studied at Georgian College.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Barrie Police Homicide Services at 705-725-7025 ext. 2160 or Crime Stoppers.
