Regina King’s only son Ian Alexander Jr. dies by suicide at age 26

Regina King’s sole son, Ian Alexander Jr., committed suicide.

The actress, 51, confirmed the tragic news to PEOPLE on Friday with a statement reading: ‘Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian. He was such a shining star who so passionately cared about other people’s happiness…

Our family is asking for your respect during this time of privacy. We are grateful.

Ian Alexander Sr. died Wednesday Jan. 19, the same day that he celebrated his 26th Birthday, according to TMZ. Regina shared her son with her record producer ex-husband Ian Alexander Sr. She has one child. 

Regina King’s son Ian Alexander Jr., was killed by suicide. Regina and Ian are pictured here in 2014.

King shared a close bond with her son – an artist and DJ who performed as Desduné – who often accompanied her to events and called her ‘super mom’ at the 2019 Golden Globes. 

Ian spoke about his mother before and said that she was a “super mom…”

“She isn’t going to let any bad days at work come back or ruin our time together. It is truly amazing to be able to spend time with a mom I love. 

After nine years of marriage, the actress from If Beale Street Could Talk divorced Ian in 2007. 

Devastating: The actress, 51, confirmed the tragic news to PEOPLE on Friday with a statement reading: ‘Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian

Artistic soul: Ian was an artist and a DJ – known as DJ Buttercream; Pictured attending  Childhelp Hollywood Heroes on October 18, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California

His passion is: Pictured DJ’ing with Rosario Dawson (right).

In 2011, Regina spoke with Essence and revealed how much she adored Ian.

“I feel emotional because my son has become an incredible young man. It took me being a mother to see how amazing of a woman (my mother) she is.” 

She went on saying, ‘You don’t know what unconditional love is. You may say you do, but if you don’t have a child, you don’t know what that is…

It is the greatest feeling you can have. This is my greatest asset. Being a mother to Ian. 

Close relationship: Actress shared close bonds with her son. She accompanied her at events often and was called’supermom’ by her son during the 2019 Golden Globes.

Family: Ian – who celebrated his 26th birthday on Wednesday – was King’s only child with her record producer ex-husband Ian Alexander Sr; Pictured during Legally Blonde 2 Red, White & Blonde – Special Screening in Southampton, New York

Pictured with the star and her husband at Miss Congeniality 2’s premiere in Los Angeles, 2005

Ian also shared an adorable message on Instagram for Regina’s 50th Birthday last year: “Happy birthday my co. So extremely proud of you, inspired by your love and artistry and gangsta…

“To be able watch you grab this lifetime and make it yours, is something I will never forget.”

He continued, “But to have you be my mother is probably the best gift I could ever ask for.” It is amazing to have the ability to give unconditional love and support while being all you can be. 

‘The whole marvel universe ain’t got s**t on you, your {sic] the real superhero! I love you mama! Today and every day, YO-DAY! 

Together: The mother and son pictured at the 18th Annual Race To Erase MS at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel on April 29, 2011 in Century City

King and Ian attended the Cleveland Cavaliers Vs. New York Knicks match at Madison Square Garden in New York City on February 4, 2017.

Golden Globe nominee and son seen at GRAMMY Gift Lounge on the 56th Grammy Awards at Staples Center, Los Angeles, California.

In 2017 King revealed on an episode of The View that the two share matching tattoos.

“We were studying Kabbalah classes,” she said. He replied, “Let’s pick three.” [designs] each and not tell each other which ones they are and whichever one is matching, that’s the one we’re going to get tattooed — and we both chose unconditional love’.

In Netflix’s 2019 Seven Seconds series, the actress played a grieving mother after losing a child. She also spoke candidly about her experience being a mom and the preparation she had for this role.

‘[My son]She said, “Making me happy makes me happier than any other thing in the world.” It was frightening to be in the shoes of a mother who had lost her baby for six months.

Loving mom: In 2011 Regina told Essence, ‘You don’t know what unconditional love is. You may say you do, but if you don’t have a child, you don’t know what that is. It is one of the greatest experiences you will ever have. This is my greatest asset. Ian loves being a mother to me.

‘[My son]”Making me happier than anyone in the entire world,” said the actress in 2019.