Regina King and Ian Alexander Jr. at the 2019 American Music Awards.
(CNN) --
Actress-director Regina King's son, Ian Alexander Jr., has committed suicide, his representative confirmed to CNN on Saturday.
I was 26 years old.
"Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian. He is such a shining light who cared so much about the happiness of others. Our family asks for respectful consideration during this private time," King said in a statement provided. by your representative.
Depression and suicide: where to seek help in Latin American countries and Spain?
Alexander was a musician and DJ.
He was known under the name "Desduné," according to his Instagram page.
He had released a new single, "Green Eyes," on January 7 and had performances scheduled in Los Angeles later this month.
He was King's only child, whom she shared with her ex-husband, record producer Ian Alexander Sr.
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King's son paid tribute to his mother on her birthday last year.
"Happy birthday to my partner, so proud of you and inspired by your love, art and
gangsta
! Being able to see you take this life by the throat and make it your own is something I will always be grateful for. But having you as my mother is the gift biggest thing I could ask for. Being all that you are and always having the time to be there and love and support me unconditionally is truly extraordinary."
King spoke about the deep love he felt for his son in a 2011 interview with CNN.
"I get emotional because my son is an amazing young man, and I had to be a mother to realize what an amazing woman [my mother] is," King said. "You don't know what unconditional love is. You can say yes, but if you don't have a child, you don't know what that is. But when you experience it, it's the most satisfying thing there is. So, that's the best part of me." .Being Ian's mother."
Call 1-800-273-8255 in the US to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Provides free and confidential assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for people in suicidal or distressed crisis. You can learn more about their services here, including their guide on what to do if you spot suicidal signs on social media. You can also call 1-800-273-8255 to speak with someone about how you can help someone in crisis. Call 1-866-488-7386 for TrevorLifeline, a suicide prevention counseling service for the LGBTQ community.
For assistance outside the US, the International Association for Suicide Prevention provides a global directory of resources and international hotlines. You can also turn to Befrienders Worldwide.
See here where to look for help in Latin American countries and Spain.