Portland police confirmed Friday that the death of a 38-year-old man in downtown Portland is now considered a homicide.

William Cougar Burleigh died on Oct. 14, two days after officers found him lying unconscious across the street from the Portland Rescue Mission, 111 W. Burnside St., at 3:27 a.m., police said. He was suffering a head injury and was not responsive.

The Medical Examiner's Office ruled Burleigh's death undetermined, which it has since changed to a homicide, marking a significant change in what police believe happened.

Police in October determined that there was no evidence that Burleigh was assaulted.

However, detectives later identified witnesses who told police that Burleigh was involved in a confrontation and then fell to the ground, said Sgt. Pete Simpson, a Portland Police Bureau spokesman. Police said the Medical Examiner's Office concluded that Burleigh's injuries were caused by a fall.

Friends and family of Burleigh said they have been frustrated by how police handled the case.

Nancy Shadley, Burleigh's stepmother, said the family has received a contradicting information from police since Burleigh's death.

"At first they didn't consider it a crime," Shadley said. "They told us he fell off a bike, then that he was pushed down. At first, I think they thought he was homeless."

Burleigh, who lived in Olympia, was visiting his friends Rebecca and Cain Random the weekend of Oct. 12, Shadley said. Cain Random and Burleigh went bar hopping and were separated.

When Burleigh was found by officers he was missing his pants, wallet and I.D., Simpson said. Burleigh's blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit and it is unknown if Burleigh removed his pants earlier or if someone removed them after he was unconscious, Simpson said.

The next morning, the family received a call that Burleigh was in the hospital.

"We knew it wasn't a fall. We knew that from the very start," Shadley said. "We are glad that witnesses came forward to show police that."

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact detectives. Anyone who has any information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Erik Kammerer at 503-823-0762 or erik.kammerer@portlandoregon.gov.

Witnesses may contact the investigators directly or, to remain anonymous, they may provide information through Crime Stoppers of Oregon.

Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information, reported to Crime Stoppers, that leads to an arrest in this case, or any unsolved felony; tipsters can remain anonymous.

Leave a Crime Stoppers tip online, or via text by texting CRIMES (274637) and in the subject line put 823HELP, followed by the tip, or by calling 503-823-HELP (4357). Tips can be left in English or Spanish.