The body was lying in a pool of blood and apparently his head wound had been caused by a heavy, sharp object{{cite web|title=Suspicion surrounds murder of Coptic Orthodox bishop in Egypt|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2018-07/murder-abbot-coptic-egypt-orthodox.html|website=vaticannews.va|access-date=2 August 2018}}. Three others were also found at the scene and who had been wounded but were still alive albeit dazed. {{cite web|title=Mystery surrounds the killing of Coptic Orthodox bishop in Egypt|url=http://asianews.it/news-en/Mystery-surrounds-the-killing-of-Coptic-Orthodox-bishop-in-Egypt-44550.html|website=asianews.it|access-date=1 August 2018}}A spokesman for the Church, Boulos Halim, stated that, "In light of mysterious circumstances surrounding his death, the authorities were called and they are now carrying out their investigations". In the early days of the investigation it was not thought that the abbot's death had anything to do with [[Persecution of Copts|Egypt's inter-communal violence]].{{cite web|title=Police investigate death of Coptic bishop|url=http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2018/07/30/police-investigate-death-of-coptic-bishop/|website=catholicherald.co.uk|accessdate=31 Jul 2018}}{{cite web|title=Egypt investigates 'mysterious' death of Coptic Bishop|url=https://www.news24.com/Africa/News/egypt-investigates-mysterious-death-of-coptic-bishop-20180730|website=news24.com||access-date=1 August 2018}} According to some sources, it is believed that the attack is "terrorist" or "criminal" related{{cite web|title=Suspicion surrounds murder of Coptic Orthodox bishop in Egypt|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2018-07/murder-abbot-coptic-egypt-orthodox.html|website=vaticannews.va|access-date=2 August 2018}}. ===Funeral and aftermath=== Funeral rites were held for the abbot on Tuesday, 31st July 2018{{cite web|title=Grieving Pope Tawadros II, mourners bid murdered Bishop Epiphanius farewell|url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/308817/Egypt/Politics-/Grieving-Pope-Tawadros-II,-mourners-bid-murdered-B.aspx|website=english.ahram.org.eg|access-date=2 August 2018}}.