Figure skater Bowman dies in California motel
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Former U.S. figure skating champion Christopher Bowman died of a suspected drug overdose in a Los Angeles motel on Thursday, authorities said. He was 40.
The one-time child actor was found in his room at the Budget Inn in the suburb of North Hills, about 22 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, after police responded to a call about midday, said Los Angeles Police Dept. spokesman Jason Lee.
There were no signs of foul play, and the case was turned over to the Los Angeles County Coroner's office, where spokesman Joe Bale said the cause of death was "possibly a drug overdose." Autopsy results will take 8 to 12 weeks, he added.
Bowman was known as "Bowman the Showman" for his crowd-pleasing skills and as "Hans Brinker From Hell" for his unruly lifestyle in the company of drug dealers and prostitutes, according to the Los Angeles Times.
He won the U.S. title in 1989 and 1992, finished second at the 1989 world championships and third in 1990. He also competed at the 1988 and 1992 Winter Olympics, the newspaper said.
The Hollywood native first appeared in the public eye as an actor, starring in episodes of "Little House on the Prairie" and "Archie Bunker's Place." In his later years, he was a coach and television commentator.
(Reporting by Dean Goodman)
