EDMONTON — The man whose severed head was found in an Edmonton alley has been identified, according to unconfirmed reports.

Mounties confirmed on Friday the head belonged to the headless body found in a ditch near Ranfurly, Alta., Oct. 20. But they would not confirm the name of the victim or how he was killed.

Now, the man has been reportedly identified as Robert John Roth, 54, of Lloydminster, Alta.

Police sources said the homicide is likely gang related and was meant to send a message to a rival criminal.

A man on parole lives close to where the head was found and it is believed he was intended to see the remains.

On Wednesday morning, a woman found the human head in a cardboard box behind her northside home. She described the discovery as being "like a Halloween scene."

The body was discovered near Ranfurly on Oct. 20. Mounties, declaring the case a homicide, said it was found near a running car two kilometres north of Hwy.16.

Although police do not believe it to be a random attack, they will not say if they have any suspects.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact RCMP or Crime Stoppers.