BEVERLY HILLS (CNS) - Jacqueline Avant, the 81-year-old wife of legendary music executive Clarence Avant, was shot to death today in a home invasion robbery in Beverly Hills, according to police and multiple media reports.
The shooting was reported at about 2:25 a.m. in the 1100 block of Maytor Place, according to the Beverly Hills Police Department. The victim died at a hospital, according to police.
No suspect description was available, and no arrests were reported. BHPD Chief Mark Stainbrook planned a news briefing later Wednesday.
According to TMZ.com, Avant, 81, was killed in a home invasion at the Trousdale Estates.
``A family source tells us the people who broke into the house fired shots and hit Jackie. Clarence was home at the time. We do not know if he was hurt,'' TMZ reported.
Clarence Avant is known as the Godfather of Black Music, and has been regularly celebrated by artists such as Jay-Z and Diddy, L.A. Reid and Babyface. He began as a talent manager in the 1950s, worked at Venture Records in Southern California and founded L.A.-based Sussex Records and Avant Garde Broadcasting.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in October.
Jacqueline Avant served as president of the Neighbors of Watts, a support group that focused on child care. She was also on the board of directors of UCLA's International Student Center.