PALMDALE – Authorities are working to determine if foul play was involved in the death of a 57-year-old Palmdale man.
On March 3, deputies responded to an “elderly abuse” call for service at the man’s residence on the 3200 block of East Avenue R in Palmdale, according to a press release from the Sheriff’s Department.
“The victim was transported to a local hospital to be evaluated by medical personnel and released to return to his residence,” the sheriff’s statement said.
On Wednesday, March 16, “the victim was transported to a local hospital for a medical emergency and died at approximately 9:11 p.m.,” the sheriff’s statement said.
The man was identified as Raymond L. Hodge of Palmdale, and an autopsy is pending to determine his cause of death, according to coroner’s Assistant Chief Ed Winter.
Deputies said Hodge was hit in the head with an oxygen tank by his 21-year-old grandson, prompting the call for service, but Hodge had refused to cooperate with the assault investigation, according to a report by ABC7.
Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500, or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222- TIPS.
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UPDATED 7/26/16: A previous version of this article had an incorrect middle initial for the named victim. Raymond L. Hodge is the correct name of the deceased.