Photo Credit: Regina King/Instagram
Today’s been a sad day for actress Regina King as she just lost her only son, Ian Alexander, Jr to suicide. He was 26 and just had his birthday Wednesday. She made a statement to People Magazine saying, “Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian,” King, 51, said in a statement sent to PEOPLE. “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.”
King was married to Alexander’s father, Ian Alexander, Sr., a business executive who worked with Qwest Records and Warner Bros from ’99 to 2007. As for the reason for their split, she compared it to the relationship between her parents to Essence Magazine saying, “Just as I’d watched my parents arguing and fighting, my son watched his parents arguing and fighting. It was like history repeating itself, and I felt terrible about him having to witness that.”
Alexander was a dj and one his mother was proud of. She’s said about him, “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. When you experience it, it’s the most fulfilling [thing] ever.” For her 50th birthday last year, he wrote a tribute to his mom saying, “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.” And what’s so sad about this is that he killed himself just days after her birthday this year which was the 15th.
Celebrities and friends of hers have reached out in support to include Bernice King tweeting, Praying for Regina King. She needs all the grace and light that can flow her way right now.” Marc Lamont Hill wrote, Sending all of my love and condolences to Regina King. I pray that she’s surrounded by love and healing energy.” Jemele Hill responded with, Sending love, light and the armor of God to @ReginaKing. May her and her loved ones find comfort and peace.” Joy Reid said, I’ve never met @ReginaKing I don’t know her personally (though my sister @junecarryl has been lucky enough to act with her!) Yet I love her like she is also my sister because I FEEL like I know her. And her body of work and her spirit are why. That’s it. That’s the tweet. “
This is a story I can relate to as I just had a member of my extended family commit suicide literally a few weeks ago that was just put into the ground. No one wants to see such a thing happen.