Tyler Perry’s nephew commits suicide

Tyler Perry and nephew, Gavin Porter

Mega-producer and movie creator Tyler Perry’s nephew, Gavin Porter was found dead at a prison facility near St. Helena Parish in Louisiana.

According to multiple local news outlets, Gavin Porter, 26, died by apparent suicide in his cell at the Union Parish Detention Center at Farmerville, on Saturday night.

Union Parish Sheriff Dusty Gates told The News-Star Porter’s death came after he was involved in a fight with several inmates on Saturday, adding that no foul play was suspected.

Prison officials told the filmmaker’s family that the deceased hanged himself with a bedsheet while in solitary confinement.

When checked on by 6pm, the prison officials found nothing of concern. He was however found dead after the guards came back by 8pm.

TMZ reported that the family of the deceased who have been notified of the incident, are not buying the story of suicide.

Gavin was handed a 20 year jail sentence after being found guilty of shooting and killing his biological father in 2016, in front of his mother. The incident reportedly occurred after they got into an argument.

This isn’t the first time tragedy has struck members of Perry’s family.

In March 2017, a large fire destroyed the Greensburg, Louisiana home of Emmitt Perry, his father.

Sheriff Nat Williams told WAFB at the time that the older Perry was home at the time and reported hearing popping and crackling sounds coming from the attic. He made it out of the house before it was consumed by flames.