Don Cornelius, Soul Train Host, Found Dead in Apparent Suicide

Former host of the iconic 70’s hit Soul Train, Don Cornelius, was found dead in his home of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound, TMZ has reported.

Cornelius’ body was located this morning in his Sherman Oaks home, and the blog cites law enforcement sources in describing the incident:

We’re told cops discovered the body at around 4 AM PT. Law enforcement sources tell us … Cornelius died from a gunshot wound to the head and officials believe the wound was self-inflicted.

We’re told Cornelius was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Cornelius hosted Soul Train from 1971 through 1993, and he sold the show in 2008. Back in 2010, Cornelius spoke enthusiastically with the Los Angeles Times about a project in the works to make a film about the cultural impact of Soul Train:

“We’ve been in discussions with several people about getting a movie off the ground. It wouldn’t be the ‘Soul Train’ dance show, it would be more of a biographical look at the project,” he said. “It’s going to be about some of the things that really happened on the show.”

Although fans of Soul Train may remember Cornelius by his closing sign-off catchphrase- “…and you can bet your last money, it’s all gonna be a stone gas, honey! I’m Don Cornelius, and as always in parting, we wish you love, peace and soul”- the final years of the former journalist’s life were marked by struggle and strife, with an arrest for a domestic dispute, and a bitter divorce the host said in court in 2009 that he wanted to finalize before his death.

An investigation into the apparent suicide of Don Cornelius is ongoing.