LOS ANGELES: Award winning actress and director Regina King’s son has died by suicide. He was 26 years old.
DJ and musician Ian Alexander Jr’s death died on his birthday last Wednesday but no further details were available.
“Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian,” King said in a statement. “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.”
Alexander was born on January 19, 1996. He was King’s only child with her ex-husband, record producer Ian Alexander Sr. The couple divorced in 2007 after ten years of marriage.
Alexander was a practicing musician and DJ. Performing under the name Desduné, Alexander had been preparing to perform several shows in Los Angeles later this month. His most recent single, “Green Eyes,” was released on Jan. 7. King shared the track on her Instagram last week, showing support for her son.
Alexander was often seen accompanying his mother at red carpet events, including the LACMA Art+ Film Gala and various awards shows. Most recently, he had appeared alongside King to help commemorate his mother’s achievements in entertainment at her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in October 2021.
“She’s just a super mom,” Alexander said in a red carpet interview alongside King at the Golden Globe Awards in 2019. “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 appeared close with her son, revealing in 2017 that the pair got matching tattoos. A week ago, King took to Instagram to urge her followers to support Ian’s new track, “Green Eyes,” sharing a short clip.
Ian paid tribute to King on her 50th birthday last year, writing on Instagram: “To be able to watch you take this lifetime by its neck and make it yours is something I will forever be grateful for. But to have you as my mother is the greatest gift I could ask for.”
