Terrible news today out of the music world:
Tina Turner’s oldest son, Craig, was found dead at his home in Studio City, California at 12:58 p.m. this afternoon.
He was 59 years old.
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office has confirmed this tragedy, telling multiple outlets that Craig was discovered with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Authorities reportedly arrived at his residence just after noon and pronounced him dead just a short while later, at the scene.
The aforementioned spokesperson told the press that a 911 call was placed, although it’s unclear just who made the call.
Says the spokesperson in a little more detail:
“The call was reported as a suicide, gun shot wound. The next of kin has been notified. There will be an autopsy done and there is an investigator at the scene.”
Craig was born when Tina was 18 years old, prior to her up-and-down marriage Ike Turner.
Once Tina and Ike were husband and wife, however, Ike adopted four-year old Craig.
(His biological father was a saxophonist named Raymond Hill, who performed with Ike’s band.)
This awful piece of news of comes as the legendary artist is making a rare trip outside her new home country of Switzerland to attend Paris Fashion Week events.
Craig Turner worked in the real estate business in the San Fernando Valley.
His mother is, simply put, one of the most successful and respected solo singers in history.
She counts “What’s Love Got to Do With it” and “Proud Mary” among her best-known singles.
Tina also starred in such movies as Mad Max: Thunderdome and Last Action Hero.
Craig’s suicide, meanwhile, follows a sad rash of similar events around the entertainment world.
Over the past few weeks alone, iconic fashiond designer Kate Spade has committed suicide, while beloved chef and author Anthony Bourdain has done the same.
Both these stars took their own lives via hanging.
Spade was 56 years old and Bourdain was 61.
May they rest in peace and may Craig Turner rest in peace.
Our thoughts go out to Tina and all of her loved ones.
