Heavy D—born Dwight Arrington Myers—had just returned to the states after a European tour, where he was reportedly battling pneumonia. He went shopping Tuesday morning, when he returned to his home, “He collapsed in an exterior hallway,” said Lt. Mark Rosen of the Beverly Hills Police Department.
Early Tuesday afternoon, the 44-year-old world renowned “overweight lover” collapsed in his Beverly Hills, Calif., home. Paramedics were called, and during the 911 call, Heavy D was conscious and talking.
By the time paramedics arrived, Heavy D had labored breathing.
His health took a turn for the worse hours later, and Heavy D was pronounced dead at Cedars Sinai Medical Center said Lt. Mark Rosen of the Beverly Hills Police Department.
The official cause of Heavy D’s death is pending an autopsy, however Lt. Rosen said: “There doesn’t appear to be any foul play. We believe it was medically related.”
Heavy D performed in October at the BET Awards.
Over the weekend, fans caught a glimpse of him in a cameo role as a security guard in Eddie Murphy’s new flick, Tower Heist.
In a tragic irony, Heavy D had sent an RIP message to heavyweight champ Joe Frazier just a day before his own death.
Heavy D Tweeted:
SMOKIN JOE FRAZIER..RIP.. truly one of the best heavyweight champs that ever lived.. GODS SPEED,MR FRAZIER!
Now, the Tweets of shock and grief are already pouring in for Heavy D: “I am deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Heavy D. A longtime friend and a beautiful person,” wrote Russell Simmons.
LL Cool J tweeted, “May GOD embrace the soul of Heavy D and Bless his family. I respected you Heavy and I always will.”
Usher Tweeted: “This is too heavy, I can’t believe it. HEAVY D was just here. Truly gone too soon. My heart and support goes out to his family. R.I.P HEAVY.”
And Nicki Minaj added: “We’ll never forget you babe! #hiphopelite #RIPHeavyD.”
