Two-time national figure skating champion Christopher Bowman was found dead inside a motel room in North Hills, Los Angeles, authorities announced on Friday.

Bowman, 40, was pronounced dead at 12:06 p.m. on Thursday, said Lt. Joe Bale of the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner.

The cause of death was unknown. An autopsy is expected to be performed this weekend, Bale said.

Police have launched an investigation into the death, Los Angeles police Sgt. Paul McLaughlin said.

A man who said he had been friends with the figure skater for the last three months told police that he was with Bowman at midnight and he (Bowman) had been sitting at the edge of his bed drinking, McLaughlin said.

When he went into his room this morning he found Bowman face down on the floor, McLaughlin added. Thats when he called us.

Bowman won national championships in 1989 and 1992, and was second in the 1989 world championships and third in 1990.