Pimp C, one-half of Houston rap legends UGK, was found dead in a West Hollywood Hotel at around 9:30 am PST today (December 4), according an anonymous tipster close to the discovery, who phoned VIBE earlier this afternoon. A second source confirmed to VIBE that a 9-1-1 call was made from the Mondrian Hotel this morning; when the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded, they found the body of Pimp C, aka Chad Butler. He was 33.
When VIBE spoke with the West Hollywood Police Department at 2:20 EST, a representative confirmed a body had been found, but said that the police had not yet identified the body. However, a representative at Jive Records confirmed it was Pimp C, and requested that fans and the media respect his family's privacy at this time.
Details as to the cause of death were few. A representative for the LA County Sheriff's Department told VIBE that as of 5:30 pm EST, the investigation was ongoing. The representative said the death was being treated as a homicide, but that it was standard procedure to treat deaths not occurring at a hospital as such, in order to rule out foul play. The police representative said it was premature to call it either way, though the tipster told VIBE there was no evidence of foul play at the scene. A representative for the Mondrian Hotel had no comment.
VIBE's prayers and condolences go out to all those who loved or were inspired by Pimp C.
home
