A billionaire investor was found dead from a reported self-inflicted gunshot wound at a Manhattan office in New York City.
At around 11:10AM on Thursday (February 23), police responded to a 911 call at 767 Fifth Avenue, where financier Thomas H. Lee's office was located on the sixth floor, as reported by BBC News.
The 78-year-old businessman - who helped pioneer the debt-fuelled corporate investment known as a leveraged buyout - was pronounced dead at the scene by EMTs.
Law enforcement did not indicate that a murder investigation was underway. Lee's official cause of death will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
In an emotional statement shared by the The New York Post, Lee's family wrote that they were "extremely saddened" by his sudden death.
His spokesperson, Michael Sitrick, shared the message on behalf of his family, saying: "While the world knew him as one of the pioneers in the private equity business and a successful businessman, we knew him as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, sibling, friend, and philanthropist who always put others' needs before his own."
"Our hearts are broken. We ask that our privacy be respected and that we be allowed to grieve," the family added.
According to the outlet, a front desk worker at the billionaire's office building was informed that there was an "emergency," on the sixth floor, but was unaware of Lee's death. They said: "They don’t want anyone going to that space right now, not even the building staff."
The businessman graduated from Harvard and founded the Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. in 1974 and served as the chairman and CEO of the company and its predecessors.
He was also known for obtaining the beverage company Snapple in 1992 and selling it two years later to Quaker Oats for a staggering $1.7 billion - 32 times what he bought it for.
Aside from his business ventures, Lee was also highly praised for his philanthropy and had served as a trustee for renowned New York City art institutions like the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and the Museum of Modern Art.
Back in 1996, he bestowed $22 million to his alma mater Harvard University - part of which has been used to provide financial aid for students.
"I've been lucky to make some money. I'm more than happy to give some of it back," Lee said, per the BBC. At the time of his tragic death, Forbes reported that his net worth was estimated to be $2 billion.
He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Ann Tennenbaum, and his children Jesse, Zach, Nathan, Robbie, and Rosalie, as well as two grandchildren.
Our thoughts are with Lee's loved ones at this devastating time.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out for help and contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741, or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.
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