Seattle's 'Tuba Man' Died From Injuries Suffered in Robbery

SEATTLE – A beloved Seattle street musician known as the "Tuba Man" has died from beating injuries he suffered in a robbery over a week ago, officials said Tuesday.

Edward McMichael, 53, was found dead Monday in his room at the downtown Vermont Inn, workers at the inn said. The King County medical examiner's office said he died of injuries from the assault.

Since the early 1990s, McMichael was a fixture outside Seattle sporting events where he wore funny hats and played songs on the tuba to match the fate of the SuperSonics, Seahawks or Mariners.

He also played outside McCaw Hall on opera nights.

Two 15-year-olds were arrested for investigation of murder, police spokesman Mark Jamieson said.

"We believe his death was directly connected to the assault," police spokesman Sean Whitcomb told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Police said McMichael was assaulted near a bus stop on Oct. 25 by a group of five teenagers who beat and robbed him. He was treated at Harborview Medical Center for head injuries and was recovering at home when he died.

Police were searching for the other three youths.