Following a series of conflicting updates, writer-director John Singleton has died at the age of 51. A celebrated figure in the history of black cinema, Singleton was perhaps most famous for his debut feature film, the 1991 classic Boyz n the Hood. In his later years he shifted his focus to TV, creating the FX series Snowfall and directing episodes of Rebel, Empire, and American Crime Story.
"We want to thank the amazing doctors at Cedars-Sinai Hospital for their expert care and kindness and we again want thank all of John’s fans, friends and colleagues for all of the love and support they showed him during this difficult time," the family said in a statement via Deadline.
Singleton suffered a stroke earlier in April and was later placed on life support. His mother submitted an application to secure temporary conservatorship over her son's health and finances, although his daughter Cleopatra Singleton later refuted the claims. Cleopatra said that he was "progressing every day" and was expected to be "out of the ICU in 5 days."
In a statement issued on Monday, a representative for the family confirmed they had made the "agonizing decision" to remove him from life support. "We are grateful to his fans, friends and colleagues for the outpouring of love and prayers during this incredibly difficult time," his family stated. "We want to thank all the doctors at Cedars Sinai for the impeccable care he received."
They cited Singleton's history of hypertension, which is a condition that results in high blood pressure placing a strain on heart functions. "Like many African Americans, Singleton quietly struggled with hypertension," the representative explained. "More than 40% of African American men and women have high blood pressure, which also develops earlier in life and is usually more severe."
