14 DAY TRIAL // Lee Thompson Young, who rose to fame with his role on The Disney Channel’s “The Famous Jett Jackson,” has killed himself. His body was found in his North Hollywood apartment, after he failed to show up for work on Monday.
Young, who was only 29 years old, was working on the TNT police series “Rizzoli & Isles.” TMZ reports that, when he didn’t show up on set, producers became worried and called the landlord to send someone over to his place to see if he was ok.
He was dead, having apparently shot himself.
“It is with great sadness that I announce that Lee Thompson Young tragically took his own life this morning... Lee was more than just a brilliant young actor, he was a wonderful and gentle soul who will be truly missed,” his publicist says in a statement to the same media outlet.
“Everyone at [the show] is devastated by the news of the passing of Lee Thompson Young,” the executive producer of “Rizzoli & Isles” says for TMZ.
“We are beyond heartbroken at the loss of this sweet, gentle, good-hearted, intelligent man. He was truly a member of our family. Lee will be cherished and remembered by all who knew and loved him, both on- and offscreen, for his positive energy, infectious smile and soulful grace,” the producer adds.
Police are investigating the death to determine if it was really a suicide and, if so, to find out what might have pushed him to it.
TMZ reports that Young did keep a diary but, so far, none of the entries seems to suggest he had such serious problems that could have made him think he had no other choice but to end his own life.
Moreover, the celebrity e-zine writes in a separate post, he did not leave a note, which makes his death a complete mystery. Adding to the mystery is the fact that all those close to him did not know him to be depressed or in any kind of trouble.
Initial reports note that he may have killed himself on Saturday, which is when he was last seen.