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Body Found On Miami Sidewalk ID'd As Scottish Soldier

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A murder mystery in Miami after the body of a Scottish soldier was found Sunday in a pool of blood.

Now Miami Police are asking for the public's help.

"It was 7 o'clock in the morning on a Sunday," said Sgt. Freddie Cruz, a spokesman for the Miami Police Department.

CLICK HERE To Watch Peter D'Oench's Report 

"Somebody must have seen something. We need the public's help. This is a mystery and we are trying to put this puzzle. together. We can not confirm whether there was head trauma or not. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner's will be doing an autopsy.

"This is someone who was 22, about to turn 23 in June. This was a tragedy for us, especially when it involved a tourist," Cruz told CBS4's Peter D'Oench.

Oscar Aguilera was driving on Biscayne Boulevard when he spotted the man's body on the sidewalk between NE 80th and NE 81st streets.

"When I saw him not moving in a puddle of blood I kind of knew he wasn't doing all right," said Aguilera.

Stephania Gautreaux, who works at the Crossfit Gym where the Scottish tourist collapsed, said, "I just want to know why this happened. He had a family."

Police have identified the man who died as Shaun Cole, and the British Army Infantry confirmed that he was a Private who served in the 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 SCOTS).

Cole, 22, was in South Florida for the Ultra Music Festival, according to his Facebook page.

Pittsburgh tourists Kiersten Puchi and D.J. Douds said Cole had been staying along with two friends in room number 9 at the Royal Budget Inn on Biscayne Boulevard.

"That's terrible that someone who come so far to have a good time and this would happen," said Puchi. "I can't imagine what his family is going through."

Douds said, "I think it is tragic and sad. I feel terrible for his family, for this to happen to someone who came this far. It's sad."

Cole, who served in Afghanistan, had recently returned from Sierra Leone where soldiers have been involved in the Ebola aid effort, according to the Scottish Television Agency which reported his commanding issued the following statement.

"The men and women of 1 SCOTS are shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the death of Private Shaun Cole," according to Lieutenant Colonel Matt Munro. "Shaun achieved an extraordinary amount in a military career that was full of promise but was tragically cut short. We will miss him terribly. "Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with Shaun's family at this desperately difficult time."

Cruz said this remains an unclassified death, pending results of the autopsy.

Anyone with information should call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS.

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