“Shah Alam, 56, left Myanmar many years ago for Malaysia, where he worked in construction. He came to the U.S. as a refugee with his wife and two of his children in December 2024, according to advocates for the family.”

“Shah Alam spent about a year in the Erie County jail on felony assault and other charges after a 2025 struggle with police who encountered him carrying what appeared to be curtain rods. Police said he bit two officers; advocates for his family said that he hadn't understood officers' commands to drop the items.”

“Surveillance video, obtained by the Investigative Post, showed Shah Alam treading carefully through the Tim Hortons' empty parking lot in his county-issued jail booties, pulling his hood up against the cold and walking off into the night.”

“Shah Alam's lawyer ultimately reported him missing to Buffalo police on February 22. On February 24, he was found dead near the downtown sports arena where the NHL's Buffalo Sabres play.”

“Many details about the man's health and final days aren't publicly known, as his autopsy report is confidential under New York law.”

“Erie County Health Commissioner Gale Burstein told reporters that Shah Alam developed what is commonly known as a stress ulcer, brought on in his case by dehydration and exposure to the cold.”