The entire music industry is saddened by the news that Violator Entertainment executive Chris Lighty has taken his own life. Industry executive Jeff Robinson made the announcement on his Twitter page today.
Lighty, 44, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to the NY Daily News.
“Law enforcement sources said Lighty — who divorced his wife, Veronica, last year — may have been dealing with financial struggles, including owing about $5 million to the IRS.”
According to Stunmag.com, Lighty was one of the richest men in music. He is the founder of Violator Management with a star-studded roster that includes 50 Cent, Diddy, Fantasia, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliot, Mariah Carey and many other top shelf recording artists as clients.
Chris Lighty was reportedly despondent over a failed marriage. Lighty and his estranged wife Veronica, whom he married in 2003, have a son, Jaden, 6.
Following a meeting with Dr. Deepak Chopra in September, Lighty tweeted: “Deep energy in the house. Counseling on life, marriage, business, children, family, Wow…I am getting right.”
Depression is a serious mental illness that is not being adequately addressed in the black community. We have to remove the stigma that surrounds treatment for depression by talking about it often. We can’t continue to lose great minds to this emotionally debilitating disease. Now the music industry has lost a friend and a son has lost a father.
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