Former U.S. figure skating champion and Olympian Christopher Bowman died of a "possible overdose," according to a statement from the Los Angeles County Coroner.

He was 40.

Christopher Bowman competes for the United States in the men's figure skating event at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France. Bowman was pronounced dead Thursday, at a motel in North Hills. (Chris Cole / Getty Images)

"If I had to pick the three most talented skaters of all time, I would pick Christopher as one," Brian Boitano, the 1988 Olympic champion, told the Chicago Tribune, after learning of his death. "He had natural charisma, natural athleticism, he could turn on a crowd in a matter of seconds and he always seemed so relaxed about it."

Bowman's body was found in a hotel room in the North Hills section of Los Angeles, and he was pronounced dead at 12:06 p.m. (3:06 p.m. ET) Thursday, the statement said.

"He just passed away in his sleep," Bowman's mother, Joyce, told the Detroit Free Press, which first reported details of his death, according to The Associated Press. "His friend told me that he was fine. He just went to bed and didn't wake up."

The cause of death was under investigation, said Lt. Joe Bale, adding that a full examination should take place this weekend. However, signs pointed to a "possible overdose," Bale said.

Bowman, a two-time U.S. National Champion, was a member of the 1988 and 1992 U.S. Olympic teams and won a silver medal at the 1989 World Championships, according to his Web site.

He later worked as a sports commentator for ESPN and Fox Sports.

Bowman was also a former child actor and played a part in the TV series "Little House on the Prairie," AP reported.

Bowman battled drug problems and underwent treatment at least twice, according to AP -- once before the 1988 Olympics and then again after the Albertville Games in 1992.

He also had legal troubles, pleading no contest in November 2004 to two misdemeanors involving having a gun while drunk in Rochester Hills, Michigan, according to AP

In 1993, while skating with the Ice Capades, he was beaten at a hotel in a seedy neighborhood in Pittsburgh, according to a police report, AP reported.