Ian Alexander Jr., son of actress Regina King, has died as a result of suicide, according to a statement from King obtained by People.
King and her son had just celebrated his 26th birthday on Wednesday, the magazine website reported.
“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.”
The news rocked Hollywood and shook up social media when it broke overnight on Friday, making “Regina King” the number one trending topic 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, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., tweeted that she was praying 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.
Alexander was King’s only child with her ex-husband Ian Alexander Sr.
Ian Alexander Jr. joined King at the Golden Globes in 2019 when she took home a Best Supporting Actress trophy for her performance in If Beal Street Could Talk.
King admitted to People previously that being a single parent was no easy journey following her 2007 divorce, but said 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 honored his mom online when she celebrated her 50th birthday about a year ago.
“Happy birthday to my co, so extremely proud of you and inspired by your love, artistry, and gangsta!” he wrote on Instagram. “To be able to watch you take this lifetime by its neck and make it yours is something i will forever be grateful for. But to have you as my mother is the greatest gift I could ask for.”
In her statement to People, King asked the world to give her and her family time to mourn.
“Our family asks for respectful consideration during this private time. Thank you,” she wrote.
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