"LOVE PEACE & SOUL" DON CORNELIUS DEAD AT 75, APPARENT SUICIDE

Such sad news to report, Don Cornelius the creator of the popular African American  TV show is dead at 75.... Don was found dead in his Sherman Oaks, CA home this Wednesday morning ... and law enforcement sources tell us it appears he committed suicide no foul play but they are still investigating. 

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.

Sources are saying Cornelius was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

"Soul Train" changed the landscape of television when it debuted in 1971 and ran until 2006 and Cornelius stop hosting the show in 1993.  Officials have notified Don's family. Cornelius was 75. 


In a 2010 interview with The Times, he said he was excited about a movie project he was developing about "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."

According to a Times article, Cornelius’ “Soul Train” became the longest-running first-run nationally syndicated show in television history, bringing African American music and style to the world for 35 years.

Cornelius was arrested in 2008 for beating up his wife.  He pled no contest to misdemeanor domestic violence and was placed on 3 years probation.  His probation just terminated.

During Don's bitter divorce proceedings in 2009, he told an L.A. judge he was suffering from "significant health issues" and wanted to "finalize this divorce before I die."

Don Cornelius and wife Viktoria Chapman

The divorce was granted in 2010.  Sources close to Don  stated  ... the TV icon was plagued with health issues for years ... including a stroke and a condition that required brain surgery. 

R.I.P. It's going to be a stone blast honey in HEAVEN!!