The New York Medical Examiner's Office said today is investigating the cause of death of Rita Hayworth's grandson, Andrew Embiricos, who was found dead Sunday with a plastic bag over his head.

A spokesperson for the medical examiner's office told ABCNews.com the case was still "pending" and declined to speculate whether it was a suicide.

The 25-year-old was found face-up in his bed with a plastic bag over his head. A friend went to check on him after he missed several appointments, according to the New York Daily News.

Those who knew Embiricos said it might not be a suicide.

"Andrew was extremely kinky. Isn't it possible that Andrew was experimenting with autoerotric asphyxiation?" Michael Musto, a Village Voice blogger wrote Monday night. He added that Embiricos did not leave a suicide note.

The two knew each other for five years, Musto told ABCNews.com.

"He always seemed sunny and charming regardless of the crises he was weathering. I always felt he was rebelling against the properness inherent in being a celebrity by birth while also striving to get on the right track and do well by people he cared about," he said.

Embiricos had faced quite a few challenges.

He was HIV positive, had been in and out of drug rehab and had attempted suicide in the past, according to Musto.

But things were looking up for him.

"Andrew liked his job and was making plans for a trip, so this came as a horrible surprise," Musto said.

Embiricos graduated from Fordham University with a degree in psychology. He most recently worked as a sales executive with Virgin Atlantic Airways, according to his LinkedIn account.

Along with his mother, Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, 61, he was deeply involved with the Alzheimer's Association. His grandmother, the actress Rita Hayworth, succumbed to the disease in 1987.

While attending school, Embiricos founded a Facebook group that collected clothing for New York City's homeless. He also remained active in HIV/AIDs charities, according to his website.