By Ann Oldenburg (USA TODAY)
Chris Lighty, founder of Violator Entertainment and manager to famous music stars including Diddy, Mariah Carey and LL Cool J, has died at the age of 44.
New York City police tell AP that the music mogul was discovered today at his home in the Bronx with a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Chief police spokesman Paul Browne says a .9mm handgun was found at the scene. No note was found.
The medical examiner's office will determine a cause of death, but authorities say the shooting appears to be self-inflicted.
Lighty got his start in the 1980s, says MTV, and eventually started Violator, which has helped to launch the careers of stars such as Missy Elliott, Q-Tip, Busta Rhymes, Nas, and more.
According to New York's Daily News, Lighty had been dealing with personal issues that included a divorce from his wife last year and an IRS debt that totaled around $5 million.