Officials in Venezuela say experts who examined the remains of 19th century independence hero Simon Bolivar have not been able to determine what caused his death.

Vice President Elias Jaua Monday announced the results of the investigation, one year after President Hugo Chavez's government ordered the remains exhumed in search of clues to Bolivar's death. Experts involved in the investigation did confirm the remains were those of Bolivar, who died in 1830.

President Chavez rejects the generally accepted account that Bolivar died of tuberculosis. Mr. Chavez believes Bolivar was murdered.

The announcement Monday came one day after Venezuela marked the anniversary of Bolivar's birth.