Averon Fletcher, 45 [Updated]

Averon Fletcher, a 45-year-old black man, died Sunday, Feb. 13, after he was believed to have sustained trauma near West 126th Street and Kornblum Avenue in Hawthorne, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Sheriff's homicide Det. Mark Lillienfeld, who is handling the case, said Fletcher died of heart disease at Gardena Memorial Hospital. His death is not being investigated as a homicide, Lillienfeld said.

Preliminary coroner's records show Fletcher had trauma to his right rib area and note that he had been kicked several times.

Lillienfeld said the rib trauma was from a fight Fletcher had several weeks before he died and his injuries were not related to his passing.

The coroner's office said Feb. 16 that they have not completed an autopsy and could not provide a final cause of death.

The Times will follow up with coroner's officials when tests are completed and post an update on the case as soon as possible.

[Update Feb. 17: Ed Winter, spokesman for the coroner's office, said a cause of death has been deferred. A final determination will not be available for several weeks, he said.]

[Update Jan. 12, 2012: Coroner's officials said Fletcher's death was ruled as undetermined.]

-- Sarah Ardalani