HOUSTON -- An artist was stabbed before his Montrose-area property was set on fire, the medical examiner told KPRC Local 2 Monday.

Robin Utterback was pulled from the warehouse fire on Grant at Fairview Thursday night and died on Friday.

Utterback and an associate were in the process of moving out when the fire started, according to authorities. Thursday was the last day Utterback planned to be there, officials said, because he sold the property about a month ago.

A man who lives in the neighborhood said he knows when the fire started.

"I told arson and homicide smoke was coming from the back," said the man who did not want to be identified.

He said he also saw Utterback's associate leave the business for the last time.

"He just stood there in limbo. I saw flames coming while the window broke. Then I see smoke coming out the seams of the building," the neighbor said.

Investigators said Utterback died in the hospital from multiple stab wounds he suffered to the abdomen.

Arson officials are trying to figure out the cause of the blaze.

An online biography showed Utterback was born in Kansas in 1949. He has degrees from Rice University and his work has been displayed around the world.

Police did not name any suspects or elaborate on the case.