A homeless man died after he was beaten in Adams Morgan earlier this month, and police ruled his death a homicide.
Todd Messer died Friday after he was assaulted on the nightlife corridor a little more than a week earlier, police said Tuesday. He was 51.
An unknown man flagged down police and told them about the attack about 12:35 a.m. Aug. 8 in front of Pitchers DC in the 2300 block of 18th Street NW.
Officers found Messer in the street with blood dripping from his head, ears and nose. Medics took him to a hospital with life-threatening injuries "consistent with an assault.”
His brother, Aaron Messer, said he was completely comatose when he arrived at the hospital.
“The person who hit him had to have some hate in his heart, he hit him so hard,” Messer said.
He said he hadn't seen his brother since he came to his wedding in 1994.
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"I've been searching for him for over 25 years," he said.
He was contacted Aug. 12 and told what happened. He said he came up from Tallahassee immediately and sat at his brother's bedside until his death Aug. 16.
On Monday, the city medical examiner ruled his death a homicide and said he died of blunt force injuries.
No information on any suspects, or what preceded Messer's death was released.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police. A reward of $25,000 is offered.
