Pound of cyanide found in room where man died

The Denver medical examiner was still awaiting test results to determine what killed Saleman Abdirahman Dirie, 29, of Ottawa. Police said they do not suspect foul play, and the FBI said there was no apparent connection to terrorism.

Dirie's body was found Monday in The Burnsley All Suite Hotel. Investigators said he had been dead for several days.

Fire officials said they found a bottle of the white powder in Dirie's room. Police said Wednesday it was cyanide.

Cyanide is a fast-acting chemical used in manufacturing, metallurgy and pest extermination that, when inhaled or ingested, prevents the body from processing oxygen. It can also be mixed with certain acids to produce extremely lethal cyanide gas, according to the Department of Justice.

Investigators have not said why Dirie had cyanide or whether he worked in a job that would have involved using it. They also have not said how long Dirie had been in Denver or whether anyone had accompanied him.

The Canadian Consulate in Denver said members of Dirie's family were in Colorado to make arrangements to return his body to Canada.

Karod did not immediately return a message left by The Associated Press.