Suicides By Race: Notable Black People Who Died By Killing Themselves
Notable Black People Who Died By Suicide
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Candles burn during a candlelit vigil to mark World Suicide Prevention Week at College Green, Dublin. | Source: Liam McBurney – PA Images / Getty
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1. Ian Alexander Jr.
The only son of actress Regina King, Ian Alexander died by suicide at the age of 26, just days after he celebrated his birthday. His death was reported overnight into the early morning of Jan. 22, 2022.
2. Jas Waters, TV writer

Jas “JasFly” Waters, a television writer who penned scripts for hit shows like “This Is Us,” died by suicide on June 9, 2020. She was just 39 years old.
3. Etika, popular YouTuber

Social media personality Etika, whose real name is Desmond Amofah, was found dead on June 25, 2019. It was later determined that the 29-year-old died by suicide after his body was found in the East River in New York City.
4. Capital Steez, rapper
Capital Steez, an up and coming New York City rapper who was already widely critically acclaimed, died by suicide on Christmas Eve in 2012 by jumping off a building’s roof. He was just 19 years old.
5. J.J. Johnson, trombonist

J.J. Johnson, a pioneering jazz trombonist whose career spanned several decades, died by suicide on Feb. 5, 2001. He was 77 years old.
6. Chris Lighty, record executive

Chris Lighty, a record executive who also managed top names in hip-hop music, died by suicide on Aug. 30, 2012, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 44 years old.
7. Jovan Belcher, NFL player

Jovan Belcher, a star linebacker in the NFL who played for the Kansas City Chiefs died by suicide after he killed his girlfriend on Dec. 1, 2012. Belcher was 25 years old and his girlfriend, Kasandra Perkins, was 22.
8. Stephanie Adams, model

Stephanie Adams, a former Playboy centerfold model, died by suicide along with her 7-year-old son after she jumped from a hotel window in New York City on May 18, 2018. Adams was 46 years old.
9. Shakir Stewart, record executive

Shakir Stewart, an executive at famed hip-hop record label Def Jam, died by suicide on Nov. 1, 2008, after he shot himself. He was 34 years old.
10. Don Cornelius, host of "Soul Train"

Don Cornelius, the founder and host of the “Soul Train” TV dance show, died by suicide on Feb. 1, 2012, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was 75 years old.
11. Phyllis Hyman, singer

Phyllis Hyman, a popular R&B singer, died by suicide on June 30, 1995, from an apparent self-induced drug overdose on prescription pills. She was 45 years old.
12. Stephen “tWitch” Boss, entertainer (dancer and DJ)

Stephen “tWitch” Boss committed suicide by gunshot on Dec. 13, 2024 at 40 years old.
Notable Black People Who Died By Suicide was originally published on newsone.com