The body of Canadian actor Richard Hong was found early Friday morning at a Los Angeles home rented by George Stroumboulopoulos.

Los Angeles police said Hong, 41, died of blunt force trauma. He was a Los Angeles resident.

The broadcaster and former CBC TV host, who still has a radio show with CBC, confirmed in a Facebook post early Friday evening that the victim, who he referred to only as a "dear friend," was staying at his place while he was away in New York.

"I am heartbroken," he wrote.

The death appears to be tied to a break-in, said Stroumboulopoulos.

Investigators stand by the Los Angeles County coroner's van outside the home in the Hollywood Hills section of Los Angeles where Hong's body was found. (Nick Ut/Associated Press)

Officer Aareon Jefferson of the LAPD told The Canadian Press that witnesses directed police to the body of an "apparent homicide'' victim and told them that a man in a black jacket had been seen fleeing the area.

A search of the neighbourhood, supported by a police helicopter and a canine unit, was unable to locate the man.

Police are investigating, but have left the crime scene in Los Angeles.

Broadcaster and former CBC host George Stroumboulopoulos says the death appears to be tied to a break-in. (Darren Calabrese/Canadian Press/File)

Global Affairs Canada said officials at the Consulate General of Canada in Los Angeles have reached out to police to obtain additional information about the death of Hong.

Josh Curtis, who said he was a longtime friend of Hong's, told CBC News from Los Angeles that he and other friends are in shock.

"We see this guy every day and all of a sudden he's been killed," said Curtis. "So we don't know what happened, we don't understand it, we're all very confused, we're in shock."

He said Hong, whose nickname was 'Honger,' was from Montreal.

Josh Curtis, who said he was a longtime friend of Hong's, described his friend as someone who loved to surf and who loved music. He said Hong "was an all-around good dude." (Facebook)

Curtis said he and other friends were gathering at the Venice Pier in Los Angeles at sunset to honour their friend.

"He was a huge fan of music and love and life and travel and surfing, and was an all-around good dude," said Curtis.

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​Stroumboulopoulos said Friday evening that he was flying to Los Angeles from New York to be with friends, whom he said were devastated at the news.