MEDICAL EXAMINER: RT Television Network Founder Died of Blunt Force Trauma

Mikhail Lesin

Washington DC's chief medical examiner says Mikhail Lesin, the founder of the RT television network died of blunt force trauma when he died at the Dupont Circle Hotel in Washington D.C.

A joint statement from the Washington Office of the CME and the Metropolitan Police Department said that Lesin, 59, suffered “blunt force injuries of the neck, torso, upper extremities and lower extremities," which contributed to his death.

The incident “remains an active ... investigation," the police department added.

Lesin was the former Russian press secretary and director of state media giant Gazprom Media. He is also known for starting the English-language television network, Russia Today, now known as RT.

Earlier reports suggested that Lesin had died of a heart attack when his body was found at the hotel on November 5, 2015.

Putin expressed his condolences to Lesin's family via state media soon after he was found dead.

"The president has a high appreciation for Mikhail Lesin's massive contribution to the creation of modern Russian mass media," Putin's press service said.

As I reported at the time of his death, Lesin became chief executive officer at Gazrprom-Media in 2013 and remained in the position until early 2015, at which time he left for "family reasons."

It appears he was pushed out by those closer to Putin, which may have not made him a happy Russian....It is unclear why he would be at a relatively low to mid-scale luxury hotel, given his wealth and penchant for living big.

Press work apparently pays well in Moscow.

His $50 million superyacht, Serenity, has just been discovered stranded in Brisbane.

According to the Daily Mail, only weeks before his death was announced, he fathered a child with  model and flight attendant Victoria Rakhimbayeva, 29.

 -RW