Jacqueline Avant Killed During Home Invasion
• Jacqueline Avant, the 81-year-old wife of music industry legend Clarence Avant was shot and killed early Wednesday morning during a home invasion robbery. The news was initially reported by TMZ.
A phone call reporting the shooting was taken at 2:23am Wednesday morning by the Beverly Hills Police Communications Center, regarding a shooting on the 1100 block of Maytor Place in the Trousdale Estates area. Beverly Hills Fire Department paramedics transported the victim to a local hospital, but police said she did not survive. Police said the shooter was gone when officers arrived at the scene. Law enforcement sources told TMZ that there was security at the home and that the security guard was shot at as well, but did not return fire. Clarence Avant was not injured. TMZ posted a crime scene photo showing a shattered glass sliding door on the home.
Netflix confirmed to Variety that Jacqueline Avant was the victim. The Avants’ daughter, Nicole Avant, a former U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas is married to Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, and produced a popular 2019 Netflix documentary about her 90-year-old father, titled The Black Godfather.
Jacqueline Avant was known for her philanthropic efforts, including being on the board of directors of UCLA’s International Student Center and having acted as President of the Neighbors of Watts. The Avants also have a son, Alexander Du Bois Avant, who was featured in The Black Godfather.
As The AP reports, Clarence Avant is a Grammy-winning executive, concert promoter and manager who mentored and helped the careers of such artists as Bill Withers, Little Willie John, L.A. Reid, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Avant founded Sussex Records and Tabu Records in the 1960s and 1970s, was Chair of Motown Records in the 1990s and was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Basketball icon Earvin “Magic” Johnson posted to Twitter, “Cookie and I are absolutely devastated at the loss of one of our closest friends Jackie Avant. She was senselessly murdered last night in a home invasion. This is the saddest day in our lives. ” He added, “Jackie was the sweetest person you could ever meet. She had a beautiful soul, kind heart, & always had a kind word for everybody. She was quiet, yet powerful, & very smart. We are crying for Clarence, Nicole, & Alex’s loss. Our thoughts & prayers go out to the entire family.” [Photo from TMZ]
