The wife of a recording tycoon nicknamed the “Godfather of Black Music” was shot dead Wednesday night during a nighttime intrusion into a couple’s home in the Beverly Hills neighborhood.
Jacqueline Avant, 81, was found and shot dead by police at his home, Mark Steinbrook, police chief of Beverly Hills, a small town near Los Angeles, told a news conference for its celebrities, billionaires and luxury boutiques.
The victim is the wife of Clarence Avant, 90, whose talents have been celebrated by stars such as Jay-Z, P. Diddy, Quincy Jones, Snoop Dogg, Jamie Foxx and former US President Barack Obama.
The couple’s daughter, Nicole Avant, is a former U.S. diplomat who married Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos.
During a press conference, Mr Steinbrook considered the play not the result of a “random attack” but refuted speculation and avoided calling the facts “robbery”. It has gone as bad as some local media.
The motive for the killing has not yet been determined, according to the police chief.
None of the occupants of the luxury home were injured, he said.
TMZ, a site that specializes in celebrities and was the first to report on the play, noted that the armed intruder was in the place of the security guard who fired the shots. Mr Steinbrook confirmed that a guard had been “exposed” at the couple’s home, but declined to give further details.
Beverly Hills police arrived at the scene around 2 a.m. Wednesday.
“The suspects (s) are no more. Beverly Hills firefighters rushed the victim to a local hospital. Unfortunately, the victim did not survive, ”the statement added.
Basketball legend Magic Johnson and his wife Jacqueline reacted to his death by saying, “One of our closest friends” was “completely saddened” by his death.
“Jackie is a very tasty person. He has a beautiful soul, a big heart and always loving words,” the star said in his message on Twitter.
Former President Bill Clinton also paid tribute to Ms Avant as “a wonderful woman” and “a dear friend of Hillary and me for 30 years”.
“Pop culture practitioner. Award-winning tv junkie. Creator. Devoted food geek. Twitter lover. Beer enthusiast.”
