Tom Petty has died at the age of 66.
The difficult decision to remove the singer from life support was made hours after he was found unconscious and in full cardiac arrest at his Malibu home.
The Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers lead singer was not breathing when emergency services first responded to an emergency call on Saturday night, law enforcement sources told TMZ.
However responders detected a pulse, and Petty was resuscitated and rushed to hospital in nearby Santa Monica, where he was put on life support.
Critical: was placed Tom Petty, 66, on life support after being found in full cardiac arrest at his Malibu home on Saturday night; he is pictured in Beverly Hills on September 11
As he was: Petty is seen performing in Britain back in 1978
His condition was initially assessed as critical,.
The veteran star was the singer of Breakdown, the 1978 hit song and 1981’s The Waiting.
Finding success both as part of The Heartbreakers and as a solo artist, Petty continues to work as a musician.
Family: Petty is seen with daughter Adria Petty and his second wife Dana York in 2012
His most recent album, 2014’s Hypnotic Eye, was the first Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers to top the charts in the U.S.
The artist had just completed a 40th anniversary tour with The Heartbreakers, with its final performance at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on September 22.
Petty is a father of two, with daughters Adria and Kimberly from his 22-year first marriage to Jane Benyo.
Touring: The artist had just completed a 40th anniversary tour with The Heartbreakers, he is seen at a show in California on September 17
Adria is a respected video producer, working with stars including Beyonce.
Petty has been married to second wife Dana York for Epperson for 16 years, after meeting her at a concert in 1991.
A spokesman for Petty did not immediately respond to requests for comment,