An 81-year-old man who was bound with duct tape and beaten in his Hopewell Township home earlier this month died at the hospital Tuesday.

Investigators said Daniel Santia was beaten with a miniature baseball bat and a phone cord during the May 1 home invasion.

The coroner ruled Santia died of blunt-force trauma to the head and officials said his death has been ruled a homicide.

Weeks after the invasion, 25-year-old Joseph Arlott was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, burglary, theft and unlawful restraint. Officials said Arlott had done yard work for Santia in the past.

According to police, Arlott and two of his friends will likely face additional charges now that Santia’s death was ruled a homicide.

Santia’s neighbors said the sad news of his death traveled quickly through their neighborhood.

“I just found out and I’m in shock,” neighbor Janet Tocci said. “They’re just evil, works of evil.”

“He came down and brought us food when out son died. He cried with us. We’re all going to miss him,” neighbor Catherine Mihalic said.

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