ST. PAUL  — St. Paul police are investigating as a possible assault the death of a 60-year-old found dead at the bottom of a flight of stairs.

A police spokesman said Wednesday that investigators are waiting for information from the Ramsey County medical examiner’s office about how Uyless Collins died. Police said it appeared Collins was assaulted with a blunt object before falling down stairs in a home Saturday. Paramedics tried to revive Collins but pronounced him dead.

A man at the house told police Collins had fought with a 48-year-old resident who was taking food that didn’t belong to him.

Police took DNA samples and items including a metal pipe from the scene.