Malibu restaurant worker died of natural causes

The Los Angeles County coroner's department has concluded that a Malibu restaurant worker who was found dead in a pool of blood in March died of natural causes.

The Sheriff's Department initially reported that Carlos Ivan Rodas, 32, had been shot or beaten in front of Guido's restaurant on Cross Creek Road after he was sent to dispose of trash. Detectives three days later said he had died of an upper respiratory infection.

In a release Wednesday, the coroner's office said an autopsy showed that Rodas died of a hemorrhage resulting from a fungal infection in his lungs. The condition was an outgrowth of tuberculosis, for which Rodas had been successfully treated.

"No trauma was noted and foul play is not suspected," the release said. A final report is expected within two weeks.

ALSO:

Youth pastor slaying: Police still seek second suspect

Suspects arrested in cold-case Montebello gang murders

Zoloft defendant: 'I can’t imagine doing this to another person'

-- Martha Groves