A 55-year-old man who was found dead in the burned-out bedroom of his 'Ewa Beach home was stabbed and beaten before his house was intentionally burned to the ground, officials said yesterday.

Robert Ramos' death is being investigated as a homicide and the fire at 91-623 Kilipoe St. as arson, according to the office of the city Medical Examiner and Honolulu fire investigators.

An autopsy revealed he had been stabbed in the neck and hit in the head and chest with a blunt object.

The fire started in the closet of the master bedroom in the rear of the home, the same room where Ramos' body was found, police and fire officials said. An accelerant may have been used to start the fire, police said.

Police still have the case officially classified as an unattended death, but are investigating it as a homicide based on the ME's report, said Honolulu police Capt. Frank Fujii.

Homicide detectives and officers with the District scoured 'Ewa Beach yesterday looking for Ramos' stepson, Timothy A. Ardarna. Neighbors told police Ramos and his stepson argued just before the fire broke out.

"We're trying to locate the stepson of the victim," said Fujii. "Witnesses have said he was the last person too see the victim alive. Anyone who has seen anything or knows anything or heard anything, please give us a call."

On Thursday, Ramos parked his truck in front of his single-family home on Kilipoe Street in 'Ewa Beach shortly before 10 a.m. and ran in to pick up something he'd forgotten.

Neighbors said they heard an argument break out, then saw the stepson ride away on a bicycle.

They saw the fire spread through much of the house, and a half-dozen neighbors tried to break in while others sprayed the flames with water hoses, firefighters and police said.

Several neighbors screamed for Ramos while others tried to break windows and get close to a door, but the heat was too intense, neighbors said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 935-8300.

Reach Peter Boylan at pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.