An 80-year-old man has died after being beaten in a brutal home invasion in Selkirk on the weekend.

RCMP were called to a residence in the 700 block of Clandeboye Avenue shortly before noon on Sunday.

Emergency crews found the elderly resident of the home suffering from serious injuries.

"It's quite (incomprehensible) to see why anyone would beat up on an 80-year-old-man in his own home," said Sgt. Line Karpish, a spokesperson for RCMP.

Neighbours identified the victim as Ralph Larson.

Carolyn Seward lives next door to Larson and went to check on him after her son noticed Larson's door was left open around 11:30 a.m. on Sunday.

When she approached the home, she saw the door appeared to have been kicked open. Seward found Larson in his bedroom with blood on his clothing and face.

"His head was back and he was moaning, like he was in severe pain," said Seward, who called RCMP.

"It breaks my heart that I didn't go see him sooner. I didn't know someone could be so cruel (in) doing that to him," said Seward.

Larson was rushed to Selkirk General Hospital in critical condition and then transferred to the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg. He died late Monday afternoon from injuries, said RCMP.

RCMP aren't sure yet whether Larson was assaulted sometime Sunday morning or earlier on the weekend.

Neighbours told CTV News that Larson, who lived alone, often hired local kids to help him around the yard and house.

"The people that he hired were troublesome youth, people he tried to keep employed, and once in awhile the police were here because once in a while they'd steal some something from him," said Neil, another neighbour. Larson also had been battling cancer and sometimes needed a walker to get around, said Neil.

Last year, Larson was the victim of another home invasion where thieves stole more than $100 from him, said neighbours.

A report was never filed regarding the incident, said RCMP.

Officers are now investigating Larson's death as a homicide. No arrests have been made.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact local police or Selkirk RCMP at (204) 482-1222.

- with a report from CTV's Rachel Lagacé