NEW YORK, June 7 (UPI) -- Prominent New York jazz pianist Hilton Ruiz has died from head injuries sustained in New Orleans at age 54.
Ruiz was found lying unconscious in a pool of blood outside a bar at about 3:50 a.m. May 19 and had been in a coma until his death Tuesday, The New York Post reported Wednesday.
The newspaper said witnesses reported Ruiz staggered out of a bar, fell and hit his head on the curb. There is also speculation Ruiz may have been attacked.
"I think there were some circumstances that need to be investigated," his friend, Eddie Rodriguez, told the Post.
Ruiz's family also suspect he may have been attacked, but police said there was no sign of a robbery and have attributed the death to an accidental fall.
A group of Latin jazz players gathered Tuesday night for a benefit concert to help the Ruiz family with medical and funeral bills.
