Michael Warner, 55, died Sept. 12 after puppies mauled him and used him as a “food source,” a sheriff’s spokesman said at the time. Warner was dropped off at Tacoma General Hospital, where doctors discovered his injuries and called police. Warner’s daughter and his caretaker were arrested, and 27 dogs were taken from the home.

Coroner Wes Stockwell said in a statement that a forensic pathologist performed an autopsy and determined that Warner died from cancer-related natural causes and not from the injuries caused by the dogs. The autopsy results will be turned over to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, which is investigating.

Brian Everstine, The News Tribune