The body of Canadian actor Richard Hong was found early Friday morning inside a Los Angeles home rented by George Stroumboulopoulos.
The broadcaster and former CBC host confirmed in a Facebook post early Friday evening that the victim, who he referred to only as a “dear friend,” was staying at his place while he was away in New York.
“I am heartbroken,” he wrote.
The death appears to be tied to a break-in, said Stroumboulopoulos.
“I am writing this from a plane en route to Los Angeles from New York, so I can be with my friends there, who are also devastated,” he added.
Los Angeles police said Hong, 41, died of blunt force trauma. He was a Los Angeles resident.
Officer Aareon Jefferson of the LAPD told The Canadian Press that witnesses directed police to the body of an “apparent homicide” victim and told them that a man in a black jacket had been seen fleeing the area.
A search of the neighbourhood, supported by a police helicopter and a canine unit, was unable to locate the man.
— @strombo