Jacqueline Avant, the wife of music icon and executive Clarence Avant has been shot dead during a home invasion at their Beverly Hills residence.
Beverly Hills police say they received a call at approximately 2:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday, Dec. 1, concerning a shooting that took place on the 1100 block of Maytor Place.
When authorities arrived, Jacqueline Avant, who had suffered a gunshot wound, was transported to a local hospital and died, according to police.
The suspects were no longer at the scene when authorities arrived.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, who is married to Jacqueline’s daughter Nicole Avant, said in a statement to USA TODAY, that the Avant and Sarandos families thanked everyone “for their outpouring of love, support and heartfelt condolences for Jacqueline.”
“Jacqueline was an amazing woman, wife, mother and philanthropist and a 55 year resident of Beverly Hills who has made an immeasurable positive impact on the arts community,” the families said. “She will be missed by her family, friends and all of the people she has helped throughout her amazing life.”
Beverly Hills Police added that Chief Mark G. Stainbrook would be holding a news conference to release more information.
The Avants married in 1967 and had two children together. Clarence Avant was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year. He was the subject of the 2019 documentary “The Black Godfather,” which looked at his political influence, musical legacy and work with musicians like Bill Withers and Babyface.
Celebrities have taken to their social media accounts to mourn Jacqueline Avant, who was 81 years old.
Magic Johnson tweeted: “Cookie and I are absolutely devastated at the loss of one of our closest friends Jackie Avant. This is the saddest day in our lives.”
Tyler Perry wrote: “My heart breaks for Clarence and Nicole and all the Avant family. This world can be so cruel and cold!! I have no idea what kind of sub-human could shoot an 81 year old woman, and in her own home. But you can rest assured that every available resource will be used to find whoever is responsible for this awful nightmare. This is tremendously sad.”
