Officials investigating suspicious death of 79-year-old in Malden

The death of a 79-year-old man in Malden last week is being investigated as suspicious, officials confirmed Thursday.

Ronald Gilbert was found dead inside his second-floor apartment on Kennedy Drive on Feb. 22, according to the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office. Malden police had been called to the apartment around 2 p.m. 

“It was apparent that Mr. Gilbert had been deceased for some time,” the DA’s office said. 

While the cause and manner of the 79-year-old’s death are still being determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the DA’s office said preliminary information has resulted in it being investigated as suspicious. 

As part of the probe into Gilbert’s death, investigators determined that an item of his was missing. 

As a result of locating the missing property, the DA’s office said a warrant for larceny has been issued for Dion Smith, 33, of Boston. 

“Police are actively looking for Mr. Smith at this time,” the DA’s office said. “Anyone with any information about his whereabouts should not approach him and should immediately contact Malden Police at 781-322-1212. Dion Smith is described as a balding, black male with brown eyes and is 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighs 165 pounds.”

The investigation into Gilbert’s death remains active and ongoing.