Man who died after Raleigh greenway attack was a sportsman, grandfather, family says

Police identified a man who died after being assaulted on a greenway south of downtown Raleigh as Chauncey Weinkoop Depew Jr.

Officers responded just after noon Thursday to a report of an injured person in the 1800 block of South Saunders Street.

They found Depew, 57, on the Walnut Creek Trail greenway. He was taken to WakeMed Hospital, where he died.

He had been riding a Kona trail bike, according to a news release.

“Chauncey ‘Chip’ Weinkoop Depew Jr. was a loving and caring father and recent grandfather,” his family said in a statement reported by ABC11, The News and Observer’s media partner.

“Chip was an avid sportsman who loved to cycle, kayak, and photograph wildlife,” they wrote. “He found peace in solitude, keeping mostly to himself and his immediate family. In sum, he lived a quiet and uncomplicated life. For these reasons, our family is unable to comprehend this random act of violence in the town we have called home for nearly 30 years.”

Police ask anyone who might have information in this case to call Raleigh CrimeStoppers at 919-834-HELP or visit raleighcrimestoppers.org for text and email reporting options. CrimeStoppers pays cash rewards for anonymous tips that help solve cases.

This story was originally published August 20, 2020 at 6:22 PM.