Kenneth Cowan, 42 [Updated]

Kenneth Cowan, a 42-year-old white man, died Wednesday, Jan. 5, four days after he was found unresponsive in his home in the 6300 block of Giovanni Way in Palmdale, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Cowan's daughter went into her father's room in the late morning of Jan. 1 and discovered him on the floor and not moving, said Ed Winter, spokesman for the coroner's office. Cowan had a history of heavy drinking, and his daughter believed he was sleeping, Winter said.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department homicide Det. Martin Rodriguez, who is handling the case, said Cowan's daughter left the home and returned later in the day to find her father in the same position. Authorities were called, and Cowan was taken to Antelope Valley Hospital, where it was determined that he had some head trauma, Rodriguez said.

Cowan remained comatose at the hospital until his death at 11:51 p.m. on Jan. 5, coroner's records show.

According to preliminary coroner's records, Cowan died from blunt head trauma. However, since his autopsy, the case has been deferred and an official cause of death will not be available for at least six to eight weeks.

During the investigation, Rodriguez said, detectives learned that a day before he was found, Cowan was celebrating New Year's Eve with some friends. At some point, he may have been involved in a fistfight and was hurt, Rodriguez said.

Cowan was last seen alive leaving Scooner's Patio Grill in Lancaster, and it's believed he went home after leaving there, officials said. It’s unknown if he died from injuries during the possible fistfight or if he was hurt after leaving the restaurant.

Anyone with information about the death of Kenneth Cowan or details about his last whereabouts is asked to contact Rodriguez at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (800-222-8477).

[Update Jan. 12, 2012: Coroner's officials have determined Cowan died from a blunt head injury and his death has been ruled a homicide.]

-- Sarah Ardalani