Regina King’s only son Ian Alexander Jr. dies by suicide at age 26

Regina King’s only son Ian Alexander Jr. has died by suicide. 

‘Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian,’ a family statement shared Saturday by a King spokesman said. ‘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.’

Ian died on Wednesday, Jan. 19, which was also his 26th birthday, according to TMZ. No further details were released. 

He was an artist and DJ who performed under the stage name desduné. The musician was expected to perform in Los Angeles this upcoming Friday and had promoted the show on his Instagram account saying: ‘Its been a minute but now we back at the jump off. Don’t you want to say you supported desduné before the blowup??’

Ian was also a celebrity chef, telling Flaunt Magazine last May he aspired to open his own restaurant within in the next three years. 

King, 51, shared Ian with her former husband, record producer Ian Alexander Sr. The two divorced in 2007 after 10 years of marriage. He is her only child and often accompanied her to red carpet events. 

Regina King’s only son Ian Alexander Jr. has died by suicide; Ian and Regina pictured in 2014

In addition to his upcoming shows, Ian just released a new single, ‘Green Eyes,’ on January 7.  

On Instagram a week ago, King shared a clip of the track urging her followers to check it out.

‘Now listening to “Green Eyes,”’ the actress wrote. ‘Desduné said he’d quit smoking if he gets a million streams….Maaaan Listen…I got this jam on repeat!’ 

King shared a close bond with her son who often accompanied her to events and called her ‘super mom’ at the 2019 Golden Globes. 

Speaking about his famous mother previously, Ian 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.’ 

The If Beale Street Could Talk actress separated from Ian’s father in 2007, after nine years of marriage. 

The pair had matching tattoos reading ‘unconditional love’ in Aramaic. 

Devastating: The actress, 51, confirmed the tragic news to PEOPLE on Friday with a statement reading: ‘Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian

Artistic soul: Ian was an artist and a DJ – known as DJ Buttercream; Pictured attending  Childhelp Hollywood Heroes on October 18, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California

His passion: pictured DJ’ing and with actress Rosario Dawson (right)

In 2011, Regina spoke with Essence and revealed how much she adored Ian.

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.’ 

She went on saying, ‘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.’ 

Close bond: The actress shared a close bond with her son, who often accompanied her to events and called her ‘super mom’ at the 2019 Golden Globes

Family: Ian – who celebrated his 26th birthday on Wednesday – was King’s only child with her record producer ex-husband Ian Alexander Sr; Pictured during Legally Blonde 2 Red, White & Blonde – Special Screening in Southampton, New York

The star pictured with her son and her ex-husband at the 2005 Miss Congeniality 2 film premiere in Los Angeles

Meanwhile Ian shared a lovely message for Regina’s 50th birthday last year, writing on his Instagram: ‘Happy birthday to my co, so extremely proud of you and inspired by your love, artistry, and gangsta…

‘To be able to watch you take this lifetime by its neck and make it yours is something I will forever be grateful for.’

He went on: ‘But 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. 

‘The whole marvel universe ain’t got s**t on you, your {sic] the real superhero! Love you mom! This day and everyday YO DAY!!’ 

Together: The mother and son pictured at the 18th Annual Race To Erase MS at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel on April 29, 2011 in Century City

King and Ian attend Cleveland Cavaliers Vs. New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden on February 4, 2017 in New York City

The Golden Globe winner and her son pictured attending the GRAMMY Gift Lounge during the 56th Grammy Awards at Staples Center on January 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California

In 2017 King revealed on an episode of The View that the two share matching tattoos.

She said: ‘We were taking Kabbalah classes. He said, let’s choose three [designs] each and not tell each other which ones they are and whichever one is matching, that’s the one we’re going to get tattooed — and we both chose unconditional love’.

While portraying a grieving mother who recently lost a child in Netflix’s Seven Seconds series in 2019, the actress spoke about how her own experience as a mother prepared her for the role.

‘[My son] makes me happier than anything in the whole world,’ she said. ‘To be in a space of a mother losing her child for six months was terrifying.’

Loving mom: In 2011 Regina told Essence, ‘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’

‘[My son] makes me happier than anything in the whole world,’ the actress said in 2019 

Word of Ian’s death spread quickly on social media, with celebrities and prominent figures offering their thoughts and prayers to King.

‘Deepest condolences and prayers for strength to @ReginaKing. Sending back to her all the warmth and light and support she has extended to me and to so many others,’ Sherrilyn Ifill, president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, posted on Twitter.

King, who directed One Night in Miami and has starred in numerous films, is the recipient of two NAACP Image Awards.

Bernice King, the CEO of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Change and daughter of King posted on Twitter: ‘Praying for Regina King. She needs all the grace and light that can flow her way right now.’