By Carol Ozemhoya | Across Black America
Jacqueline Avant, the wife of the music executive known as the “Godfather of Black Music,” was shot and killed in the couple’s home early Wednesday, reports NBC News. Beverly Hills police responded to calls about a shooting at the home of Jacqueline and Clarence Avant at 2:23 a.m., they said in a statement. Police said the victim was taken to a nearby hospital by paramedics but did not survive.
A spokesperson for Netflix confirmed that Jacqueline Avant, 81, had been shot and killed. Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos is her son-in-law. It is unclear whether Clarence Avant was home.
Potential suspects were not at the scene when officers arrived, police said.
“Jacqueline was an amazing woman, wife, mother, philanthropist and a 55-year resident of Beverly Hills who has made an immeasurable positive contribution and impact on the arts community,” the family said in a statement read by Beverly Hills Police Chief Mark Stainbrook. “She will be missed by her family, friends and all of the people she has helped throughout her life.”
Investigators and forensic specialists were processing the scene Wednesday afternoon, Stainbrook said. All potential motives are being investigated, including a possible robbery attempt, he said.
“A lot of times people think of home invasion when it comes to robbing or burglarizing a residence,” Stainbrook said. “And so obviously someone went into the home. We just don’t know what for, what the purpose was or the motive was behind it.”
It appeared that a security guard was on duty, Stainbrook said. Investigators are collecting and reviewing video.
