Regina King 's son has tragically taken his own life.
Ian Alexander Jr, 26, worked as an artist and DJ, performing under the moniker DJ Buttercream.
He was incredibly close to his actress mum, and regularly escorted her on the red carpet of glitzy showbiz events and award ceremonies.
Regina, 51, announced the sad news in a statement released to PEOPLE magazine last night as she asked for privacy.
She said: "Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian. He is such a bright light who cared so deeply about the happiness of others.
"Our family asks for respectful consideration during this private time. Thank you."
Ian previously enthused about his mum, who won an Oscar for her role in If Beale Street Could Talk in 2019.
At that year's Golden Globes ceremony, he said: "She's just a super mom. She doesn't really let bad work days or anything come back and ruin the time that we have.
"It's really awesome to have a mother who I can enjoy spending time with."
Ian was Regina's only child, and she split splitting with his dad Ian Sr, in 2007.
In a 2011 interview she told Essence that she she adored Ian and being his mum had taught her about love.
She said: "I get emotional because my son is an amazing young man, and it took me to be a mother for me to realize how incredible of a woman she (my mother) is.
"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.
"But when you experience it, it is the most fulfilling ever. So, that is the greatest part about me. Being a mom to Ian."
The pair were incredibly close and last year he penned an emotional Instagram statement to mark her fiftieth birthday.
Part of it read: "To have you as my mother is the greatest gift I could ask for. To be all that you are while always having the time to be there, love and support me unconditionally is truly remarkable."
Regina also revealed that the pair had matching tattoos inspired by their shared interest in mystic religion Kabbalah.
The Samaritans is available 24/7 if you need to talk. You can contact them for free by calling 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or head to the website to find your nearest branch. You matter.
