Authorities have released the cause of death in the case of the Malibu restaurant employee who was found dead Sunday evening outside his place of work. 32-year-old Carlos Ivan Rodas died from an upper respiratory disease, say Los Angeles County Sheriff's Detectives, according to City News Service. Officials add that they do not suspect foul play in the man's death.
Rodas had reportedly gone out back of Guido's Malibu where he worked as a dishwasher to dispose of trash when he was allegedly confronted by one or more suspects who were thought to have delivered a fatal beating to the man.
The victim was found outside in a pool of blood. Some initial reports from the scene indicated Rodas had been shot.
UPDATE 4:07 PM Assistant Coroner Chief Ed Winter has expressed dismay this afternoon regarding the LASD's release of information about Rodas' cause of death, according to CNS. Winter said he was "irritated at this," and explained that a sheriff's detective placed a security hold on the case, which barred anyone at the coroner's office from discussing the case.
Winter added he could not confirm the information released by the LASD that indicates Rodas died of an "upper respiratory disease."
Asked if an upper respiratory infection could indicate tuberculosis, Winter said it could, however he said it also could have been another kind of infection, reports CNS.
