Police Investigate Whether Assault Led to Death

D.C. police are investigating the death of a 35-year-old California man found yesterday in a Northwest Washington apartment about 12 hours after he was robbed and assaulted in Adams Morgan, authorities said.

Christopher J. Savage of Bakersfield was "non-responsive" when friends tried to wake him on their couch in the 2400 block of 16th Street about 2 p.m. yesterday, police sources said.

About 1 a.m., Savage had been robbed and beaten by at least two people near 18th and Kalorama streets, Assistant Police Chief Diane Groomes said. Savage suffered injuries to his stomach and head but did not go to a hospital, she said. Police are awaiting an autopsy to determine if the attack contributed to his death, Groomes said.

In a telephone interview last night, Joseph Savage said his son called him early yesterday morning and told him the assailants had "pistol-whipped him a little bit, handcuffed him and put him in a dumpster." They took his wallet, cellphone and passport, Savage said. Savage said his son was in Washington for a job interview with a nightclub.