His wife found him unconscious on the floor of a bedroom in their home next to a treadmill that was still running at about 1:00 P.M. Sunday, August 10 and he was pronounced dead at 2:08 P.M.
- Aug 11, 2008
AceShowbiz - In the wake of Bernie Mac's death early Saturday morning, August 9, Hollywood woke up the following day to the news of other death, which was that of Isaac Hayes'. The soul and funk singer-songwriter and musician died early Sunday afternoon, August 10 at his home in Memphis, Tennessee, officials said. He was 65.
Hayes, who won an Oscar in 1972 for Best Original Song for the theme from film "Shaft" (1971), was found unresponsive at his house by family members, Shelby county sheriff's spokesman Steve Shular revealed. Per Wmctv.com, his wife found him collapsed on the floor of a bedroom in their home next to a treadmill that was still running at about 1:00 P.M.
A Shelby County sheriff's deputy soon thereafter responded to Hayes' home and had the star taken to Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, where he was pronounced dead at 2:08 P.M. "Our emergency room team's efforts to resuscitate him were not successful, and our hearts go out to his family and legion of fans worldwide," the hospital's spokesperson said in a statement.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of Hayes' death, but they do not believe foul play was a factor. "We don't believe there was any foul play," Shular said. "Based on the statements by family members that Mr. Hayes had been treated of late for a number of medical issues, we believe that led to his death today. There are no plans for an autopsy."
Hayes, who was about to turn 65 on August 20, has 12 children and 14 grandchildren. He had four wives and is survived by his current wife Adjowa, whom he married in 2005 and with whom he had one child.
Friend and fellow Memphis native Priscilla Presley was among the people who mourned Hayes' death, saying "I am shocked. We have lost not only an incredible talent, but a wonderful leader to his community and a dear friend." No words just yet for a public memorial for him.
