PALMS (CBS) — Authorities Friday asked for the public’s help in finding the killer of a popular chiropractor.

A patient found Dr. Robert Rainey bleeding on the floor at his practice in the 9200 block of Venice Boulevard Thursday morning.

Authorities believe Rainey, 54, was attacked by a robber between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m.

“We’re all shocked. It’s like, ‘What?! What happened?’” Rainey’s neighbor Mark Westover, who is now watching the doctor’s dogs, told CBS2.

Rainey suffered severe head trauma, a broken jaw, and lost several teeth in the attack. He died shortly after he was taken to a local hospital.

Officials say there have been a rash of robberies in the area recently and that Rainey’s wallet was missing.

“We have no witnesses to the actual crime, so we’re interested in anybody that was out here around anywhere from 6:30 to 8 a.m. that might have seen what occurred,” Lt. John Radtke said.

Emma Landaverde, who worked as Rainey’s housekeeper for 20 years, couldn’t believe anyone would want him dead. “He was such a nice man, nice guy. Lots of friends, everywhere.”

Rainey is the son of late actor Ford Rainey and the brother of Los Angeles Times media critic James Rainey.

He is survived by his wife.