‘Our family is devastated at the deepest level’: Regina King’s only son Ian Alexander Jr. dies by suicide three days after his 26th birthday
- Regina King confirmed on Friday that her only son Ian Alexander Jr. has died
- She said in statement: ‘Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian. He is such a bright light who cared about the happiness of others’
- Ian, whom she shares with record producer ex-husband Ian Alexander Sr., had celebrated his 26th birthday on Wednesday, January 19
Regina King’s only son Ian Alexander Jr. has died by suicide.
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. 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 – who celebrated his 26th birthday on Wednesday – shared her son with her record producer ex-husband Ian Alexander Sr. He is her only child.
Regina King’s only son Ian Alexander Jr. has died by suicide; Ian and Regina pictured in 2014
King shared a close bond with her son – an artist and DJ – 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.
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
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