BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Erie County Medical Examiner's Office ruled the death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam a homicide. The 56-year-old nearly blind refugee from Myanmar was found dead near the downtown sports arena where the NHL's Buffalo Sabres play on Feb. 24, five days after Border Patrol agents dropped him off at a Tim Hortons restaurant north of Buffalo's downtown.

The Medical Examiner's Office said Shah Alam's death was caused by complications of a perforated duodenal ulcer precipitated by hypothermia and dehydration. The office did not determine responsibility for his death.

Shah Alam had been released from a county jail and then briefly detained by Border Patrol until the agency determined he was not eligible for deportation. On Feb. 19, agents dropped him off at the Tim Hortons restaurant.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Shah Alam showed no signs of distress, mobility issues, or disabilities requiring special assistance when agents dropped him off at the restaurant. The agency said the Tim Hortons was chosen as a warm, safe location near Shah Alam's last known address.

Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan said the Tim Hortons restaurant was closed at the time of the drop-off. Shah Alam's family, which had been awaiting his release from jail, was not informed of his release.

Shah Alam's lawyer reported him missing to Buffalo police on Feb. 22, two days before his body was discovered. A ruling that a death is a homicide means it resulted from another person's actions or inaction but does not necessarily indicate a crime was committed.