Ruiz Death Possibly Accidental

The family of jazz pianist Hilton Ruiz claims he died following injuries he sustained during an attack at a New Orleans nightclub, but a representative of the club says videotapes tell a different story.

The original lawsuit, filed in the city’s Civil District Court in June on behalf of ex-wife Aida Ruiz and her daughter, also named Aida, claimed Ruiz had been at the club for several hours May 19th when he was attacked by several people. Security staff allegedly “failed to intervene in any meaningful fashion” or to call an ambulance.

Ruiz died June 6th.

The amended complaint, filed August 3rd by daughter Aida, claims bouncers at Club Utopia threw the pianist composer face-first into heavy wooden doors and then onto the floor after he was attacked by a club patron.

However, a spokesman for the club said tapes show Ruiz signing a tab for more than $200, leaving by himself and walking without incident along an alley. Tapes from a club next door show Ruiz tripping minutes later and hitting his face on the curb, according to the spokesman.

Tapes allegedly show only that a disagreement occurred between two uninvolved patrons and they were asked to leave.

Ruiz was hospitalized and never regained consciousness.

Attorney Scott Galante, who filed the amended complaint, said it is based on statements made by a witness.

Police have repeatedly said their investigation has only found evidence that Ruiz had an accidental fall. He was in New Orleans to make a video for a Hurricane Katrina benefit recording.