(Los Angeles) Wife of record industry mogul, nicknamed “the godfather of black music,” was fatally shot on Wednesday in an overnight burglary at the couple’s upscale home of Beverly Hills, according to local media.
Jacqueline Avant, 81, was shot dead by a thief, who also opened fire on a security guard, according to celebrity website TMZ.
The victim was the wife of Clarence Avant, a figure in the recording industry whose talents have been praised by stars like Jay-Z, P. Diddy and Babyface, and even by former US President Barack Obama.
The couple’s daughter, Nicole Avant, is a former U.S. diplomat who is married to Netflix chief executive Ted Sarandos.
According to TMZ, one or more burglars broke into the night of Tuesday to Wednesday into the Avant house, where the tragedy occurred.
Police in Beverly Hills, a small town next to Los Angeles known worldwide for its celebrities, billionaires and luxury boutiques, said they arrived shortly after 2 am and “found a victim with a gunshot wound.”
“The suspect (s) were no longer present. Beverly Hills firefighters transported the victim to a local hospital. Unfortunately, the victim did not survive, ”the statement added.
Clarence Avant, 90, was uninjured.