According to a statement received by People, Ian Alexander Jr., the son of actress Regina King, committed suicide.
The magazine website reported that King and her son had just celebrated his 26th birthday on Wednesday.
“Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian,” King told People. “He is such a bright light who cared so deeply about the happiness of others.”
When the news emerged overnight on Friday, it rocked Hollywood and jolted social media, making “Regina King” the top trending subject on Twitter.
“Sending love, light and the armor of God to @ReginaKing,” Atlantic writer Jemele Hill tweeted early Saturday morning. “May her and her loved ones find comfort and peace.”
Bernice King, Martin Luther King Jr.’s daughter, expressed her support for the actress.
“She needs all the grace and light that can flow her way right now,” Bernice King tweeted.
“So very sorry!!! Prayers Prayers Prayers!!!!!!” wrote comedian D.L. Hughley.
With her ex-husband Ian Alexander Sr., King had only one child, Alexander.
In 2019, King was joined by Ian Alexander Jr. to the Golden Globes, where she won Best Supporting Actress for her role in If Beal Street Could Talk.
Following her 2007 divorce, King confessed to People that being a single parent was difficult, but that her love for her son was stronger than anything.
“You don’t know what unconditional love is. You may say you do, but if you don’t have a child, you don’t know what that is,” she told the magazine at the time. “When you experience it, it’s the most fulfilling [thing] ever.”
Alexander paid tribute to his mother on social media when she turned 50 a year ago.
King asked everyone to give her and her family time to mourn.
“Our family asks for respectful consideration during this private time. Thank you,” she wrote.
