Three 6 Mafia founding member Lord Infamous has died. He was 40.
As MTV reports, the rapper was found dead in his mother’s home in Memphis, Tenn., on Friday night (Dec. 21). Fellow Three 6 member Gangsta Boo broke the news on Twitter, tweeting Saturday morning in memory of his fallen fellow member of the rap crew and asking for respect for “family and friends during this tragedy.”
Rest in Peace Lord Infamous please respect the family and dear friends during this tragedy.
— Lola aka Boo (@GangstaBooQOM) December 21, 2013
Fellow Three 6 Mafia member Juicy J also extended his condolences, as well as a slew of rappers including Lil Wyte and Bun B.
The rapper, born Ricky Dunigan, joined the group upon its start in 1991. He was forced to leave the group in 2006 following its win at the Oscars for Best Original Song with “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp,” having served jail time. However, he had rejoined with former Three 6 members DJ Paul, Crunchy Black, Koopsta Knicca and Gangster Boo for the quasi-reunion group Da Mafia 6ix.
DJ Paul confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that a heart attack was the cause of death.