Los Angeles, CA - “Soul Train” creator Don Cornelius was found dead at his Sherman Oaks on home Wednesday morning.
Law enforcement sources said police arrived at Cornelius’ home around 4 a.m. He apparently died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the case was ongoing.
The sources said there was no sign of foul play, but the Los Angeles Police Department was investigating.
In a 2010 interview with The Times, he said he was excited about a movie project he was developing about “Soul Train.”
“We’ve been in discussions with several people about getting a movie off the ground. It wouldn’t be the ‘Soul Train’ dance show, it would be more of a biographical look at the project,” he said. “It’s going to be about some of the things that really happened on the show.”
According to a Times article, Cornelius’ “Soul Train” became the longest-running first-run nationally syndicated show in television history, bringing African American music and style to the world for 35 years.
Cornelius stopped hosting the show in 1993, and “Soul Train” ceased production in 2006. Last year, Magic Johnson became chairman of Vibe Holdings, parent company of Vibe magazine and owner of “Soul Train.”
Back in 2008 the TV entrepreneur who created “Soul Train” pled not guilty to charges that he beat his 2nd wife (estranged Russian model) Viktoria.
He was ordered to hand over all of his firearms and was placed on 3 years probation. The couple were married 7 years before their divorce was finalized in 2010.
During his bitter divorce proceedings in 2009, he told an L.A. judge he was suffering from “significant health issues” and wanted to “finalize this divorce before I die.”
The divorce was granted later that year. There’s a provision in the settlement agreement that says Don must make Viktoria the beneficiary of both of his life insurance policies totaling around $300,000 in benefits. Even after his suicide it’s still payable.
Radio Show Host Said Don was very happy last time he saw him
I feel like 70 is a bit late in the game to kill yourself. I would not be surprised if “they” killed him for his ownership in Soul Train or complete rights to the movie he was working on. He talked to his son shortly before he killed himself and spoke of no suicidal intentions.. I’m just not to quick to believe everything I read or here… This is suspect..
