LOS ANGELES, CA — Police are investigating the death of a 32-year-old man who was discovered lying unresponsive on a downtown Los Angeles sidewalk early Tuesday morning. Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) responded to a call around 1:30 a.m. reporting an unconscious person on Broadway near Third Street, a busy area near civic buildings and public gathering spaces.
When officers arrived, they found the man lying on the sidewalk without any visible signs of trauma. Emergency personnel from the Los Angeles Fire Department were called in and pronounced the man dead at the scene. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office later identified him as Nicholas Mahmoodiyeh. The cause of death has not been determined, and authorities are awaiting autopsy and toxicology results.
As of Tuesday afternoon, LAPD detectives had not ruled out any possible cause, including medical issues, foul play, or environmental factors. Police say there were no immediate indicators pointing to violence or suspicious activity. However, investigators continue to review surveillance footage from nearby businesses and speak with anyone who may have been in the area at the time of the incident.
Authorities are also exploring a potential link to a series of immigration protests that have taken place downtown over the past four days. While police emphasized there is no direct evidence connecting Mahmoodiyeh’s death to the demonstrations, they are keeping all possibilities open. The area has seen heightened police activity and larger-than-usual crowds, particularly around Broadway and Third Street.
The time and location of the death — in a high-traffic area during early morning hours — has drawn public attention and raised questions. Police note that fewer people are typically on the streets at that hour, which may impact the availability of witnesses. Detectives are continuing to canvass the area for leads that could provide clarity.
The LAPD is urging anyone with information about Mahmoodiyeh’s final movements or who may have seen anything unusual to contact Central Division detectives. The case remains under active investigation, and officials say updates will be provided once more details, including the cause of death, are confirmed. The incident has sparked concern among downtown residents and protest organizers, who await further developments.
