‘Godfather of Black Music’ Clarence Avant’s wife is shot dead in home invasion in Los Angeles

Shocking photos obtained by DailyMail.com show the sliding glass door that was smashed by home invaders who killed the wife of legendary music executive Clarence Avant in their elite, ungated Los Angeles neighborhood.

Avant’s wife of 54 years, Jacqueline Avant, died of a gunshot wound in the shocking crime, but police pointedly declined to confirm that robbery was the suspected motive, saying all possibilities are under consideration. 

Tributes are already pouring out for the noted philanthropist, with Bill Clinton writing in a tweet: ‘Jackie Avant was a wonderful woman, a great partner to Clarence and mother to Alex and Nicole, an active citizen & a dear friend to Hillary and me for 30 years.’ 

‘She inspired admiration, respect & affection in everyone who knew her. We are heartbroken. She will be deeply missed,’ added Clinton.

In a statement to DailyMail.com, Avant’s family said: ‘The Entire Avant and Sarandos families wish to thank everyone for their outpouring of love, support and heartfelt condolences for Jacqueline Avant.’

‘Jacqueline was an amazing woman, wife, mother and philanthropist and a 55 year resident of Beverly Hills who has made an immeasurable positive impact on the arts community. She will be missed by her family, friends and all of the people she has helped throughout her amazing life,’ said the grieving family.

Beverly Hills police were called to the home in Trousdale Estates around 2.30am Wednesday after a 911 caller said someone had been shot, according to Beverly Hills Police Chief Mark Stainbrook.

Officers arriving at the scene discovered one victim, Avant’s wife of 54 years, Jacqueline Avant, suffering from a gunshot wound. Clarence Avant, 90, was in the home at the time but it is unclear whether he was injured.

Police said there were no suspects at the scene when they arrived, and so far a manhunt has not led investigators to the killer or killers. 

Jacqueline was transported to a local hospital but died later that morning. She was 81 years old. 

Shocking photos obtained by DailyMail.com show the sliding glass door that was smashed by home invaders who killed the wife of legendary music executive Clarence Avant

Beverly Hills police were called to the home in Trousdale Estates around 2.30am Wednesday after a 911 caller said someone had been shot. Police pointedly declined to confirm that robbery was the suspected motive

Investigators work the scene of Jaqueline Avant’s murder after an apparent home invader shot and killed her

Beverly Hills Police Chief Mark Stainbrook said Wednesday afternoon that the department is currently conducting an investigation into the incident, which they have determined is a homicide

Police initially said the suspects were likely looking to rob the elderly couple, citing a broken glass door at the back of the property. But the police chief later noted that he could not confirm that robbery was the motive in the crime

A security guard was stationed at the house, according to the outlet. He was reportedly shot but did not return fire at the attackers. Sources told TMZ, which first reported the murder, that Clarence was not injured. 

A family source told TMZ that robbers fired shots as they entered the home and hit Avant’s wife. The home is valued at an estimated $7 million. It’s unclear if the suspect or suspects made off with any stolen goods. 

Beverly Hills Police Chief Mark Stainbrook said Wednesday afternoon that the department is currently conducting an investigation into the incident, which they have determined is a homicide. 

At least one suspect, the shooter, had gotten inside the Avants’ home when he opened fire at Jacqueline, TMZ further reported, speaking to sources connected to the investigation. It’s still unclear how many suspects were involved. 

No suspects have been identified as of yet. Police say the assailant or assailants fled the scene before they arrived. 

Police initially said the suspects were likely looking to rob the elderly couple, citing a broken glass door at the back of the property. 

However, Chief Stainbrook later said: ‘The motives in this case are still unknown, and we are investigating all possible motives.’

‘We will not speculate on anything that’s out there, including if this was a robbery attempt or not,’ he added.  

Chief Stainbrook said: ‘The motives in this case are still unknown, and we are investigating all possible motives. We will not speculate on anything that’s out there, including if this was a robbery attempt or not’

Beverly Hills police were called to the home around 2:30 am Wednesday after a 911 caller said someone had been shot and killed. Officers arriving at the scene discovered one victim, Avant’s wife of 54 years, Jacqueline, suffering from a gunshot wound. She succumbed to her wounds later that day

Jacqueline Avantwas a local philanthropist who was president of the Neighbors of Watts and served on the board of directors of the International Student Center at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Her husband, Clarence Avant, is known as the ‘Godfather of Black Music’ and was recently inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Former President Barack Obama and Vice President Kamala Harris were among those who paid tribute to him in a video made for the induction ceremony in October.

Avant’s daughter, Nicole, is married to Ted Sarandos, Netflix co-CEO and chief content officer. 

Nicole Avant, who served as U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas from 2009 to 2011, is now a film producer whose work includes a 2019 Netflix documentary about her father, ‘The Black Godfather.’ In an interview with NBC News about the documentary, she praised her mother.

‘My mom is really the one who brought to my father and our family the love and passion and importance of the arts and culture and entertainment,’ she said. ‘While my father was in it, making all the deals, my mother was the one who gave me, for example, my love of literature, my love of filmmaking, my love of storytelling.’

Clarence Avant is a Grammy-winning executive, concert promoter and manager who mentored and helped the careers of artists including Bill Withers, Little Willie John, L.A. Reid, Babyface, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.

He founded Sussex Records and Tabu Records in the 1960s and 1970s, and was chair of Motown Records in the 1990s.

Basketball icon Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson wrote on Twitter that he and his wife were ‘devastated’ by the news of Avant’s death, calling her ‘one of our closest friends.’

‘This is the saddest day in our lives,’ he wrote.

Rep. Karen Bass, a Democrat from California, said she was heartbroken by the violence.

‘Mrs. Avant was a force of compassion and empowerment locally and nationally for decades, as well as a model of service and giving back to those who needed it most,’ Bass wrote on Twitter.

The scene of the crime at Clarence Avant’s $7 million home was taped off by Beverly Hills police Wednesday morning. An investigation is currently ongoing

The Beverly Hills Police Department stationed a crime lab vehicle outside the residence on Wednesday

The home (pictured) in Trousdale Estates, a ritzy private community just outside Beverly Hills, is worth more than $7 million

The incident comes as a string of ‘follow-home’ robberies plague residents of various upscale Los Angeles neighborhoods

Beverly Hills police issued a statement Wednesday morning in the wake of the incident, saying officers ‘arrived and discovered a victim with a gunshot wound’

Avant’s shocking murder comes as a string of ‘follow-home’ robberies plague residents of various upscale Los Angeles neighborhoods. 

In November, a crew of masked robbers stalked former BET host Terrence Jenkins, 39, on his way to his Sherman Oaks home, and attempted to trap the actor by pulling up aside his car in an SUV at around 3 a.m. PT on November 10. Jenkins was able to flee the scene unscathed, but shots were fired. 

The incident also comes a few weeks after Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Dorit Kemsley’s home was invaded by an armed gang as her kids slept, on October 27. The attack saw men break into the 45-year-old reality star’s residence just before 11 p.m. and proceed to hold her at gunpoint, a source close to Kemsley revealed to DailyMail.com at the time. 

Then, last Tuesday, a man was gunned down during an attempted robbery outside Bossa Nova, a posh Los Angeles eatery in Hollywood. 

Days after that incident, Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore announced that the department is currently setting up a task force to apprehend these ‘follow-home’ robbers, saying the department has not seen violent hold-ups ‘like this in decades.’ 

It’s not year clear if the Avants were victims of a ‘follow-home’ robbery, which, along with other violent crimes and armed robberies, have been on the rise throughout the area. Police think the attacks are likely unconnected and are the work of multiple gangs – not one single entity.

Early Wednesday, police arrived at 90-year-old Avant’s Beverly Hills home shortly after they ‘received a phone call regarding a shooting that had occurred’ at the residence, Stainbrook said in a statement released Wednesday.

‘Police units arrived and discovered a victim with a gunshot wound,’ the statement said. ‘The suspect(s) were no longer on the scene.’ 

‘Beverly Hills Fire Department paramedics transported the victim to a local hospital,’ but the chief added that ‘the victim did not survive.’ 

An investigation is currently underway. No suspects have been identified at this time.  

Cops were stationed at the crime scene in the chic Los Angeles neighborhood Trousdale Estates, which boasts a slew of multimillion-dollar properties

Beverly Hills police were called to the home in Trousdale Estates around 2:30am Wednesday

The legendary music executive – who boasts an estimated net worth of $50 million – was inducted into the Rock and Hall of Fame this year, with his wife by his side.

Jacqueline, who once modeled in the Ebony Fashion Fair, served as president of the Neighbors of Watts, a support group that focused on child care. She also served on the board of directors of the International Student Center at UCLA. 

The couple’s daughter, Nicole Avant, 53, is currently married to Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos. Nicole was also ambassador to the Bahamas, appointed by then-president Barack Obama in 2009. Netflix declined to comment on the incident when reached by DailyMail.com Wednesday but did confirm that Jacqueline was killed Wednesday morning.

Jacqueline also served as chairperson of NOW membership and entertainment chairperson of the NOW benefit auction and dinner dance in 1975, according to IMDb.  

Jacqueline (left) was rushed to a hospital after the attack, but succumbed to her injuries shortly after. She leaves behind a 53-year-old daughter, Nicole (second from left), and a son (not pictured). Nicole, a former United States Ambassador to the Bahamas, is currently married to Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos (third from left)

Jacqueline, Clarence and Gail Mitchell at the Jazz Foundation honors in LA in 2019

A security camera is positioned at the entrance of the street at Trousdale Estates

Investigators were stationed at Avant’s home on Maytor Place. The incident has been declared a homicide

TV crews e convened outside the posh residence. It is not yet known what, if anything, was taken from the house

A flower delivery arrives at the Avant home Wednesday in the wake of the early morning attack

The Motown fixture’s life and legacy have been chronicled by Sarandos’ streaming service in 2019, in a documentary titled The Black Godfather.

The Netflix-run production was produced by his daughter Nicole, and detailed how Avant – who boasts a reported net worth of $50 million – oversaw impressive deals for black artists throughout his illustrious career, which spanned decades, through narrations from Barack Obama, Snoop Dogg, Bill Clinton, and more.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame describes Avant as ‘cool, savvy, confident, and fearless – someone who makes the impossible possible. He’s served a variety of roles during his illustrious career, including manager, label owner, concert organizer, event producer, political fundraiser, and mentor.’  

It continues: ‘Avant’s career began in the 1950s when he served as the manager for Little Willie John and jazz organist Jimmy Smith. In late 1969, he launched Sussex Records, a label that soon achieved a Top Ten hit with Dennis Coffey’s Scorpio. The most notable artist on Sussex was Bill Withers, who released his first three records for the label, featuring the hits Ain’t No Sunshine, Lean on Me, and Use Me. In 1971, Avant launched Avant Garde Broadcasting, one of the first Black-owned radio stations in the country.’  

The storied exec is also an accomplished producer and actor – known for Deliver Us from Evil in 1975, The Color Purple in 1985 and Jason’s Lyric in 1994. 

Police cordoned off the area near the posh Beverly Hills home Wednesday morning, and are treating the case as a homicide

The Motown fixture’s life and legacy were recently chronicled by Sarandos’ streaming service in 2019, in a documentary titled The Black Godfather

Clarence, Jacqueline and Jimmy Jam at the NMAAM 2016 Black Music Honors

Clarence was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2016, with his wife by his side

He was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2016.  

The attack on the Avants’ home – which is valued at around $7 million and is situated around a string of other multimillion dollar homes – comes as Los Angeles and California have faced a slew of high-end robberies and ‘smash-and-grabs’ in addition to the recent string of ‘follow-home’ robberies.  

On November 22, about two dozen robbers smashed their way into an LA Nordstrom, making off with $5,000 worth of merchandise. A CVS pharmacy in the city was struck just an hour later, where looters stole $8,000 from a cash register. 

Two days later, police in Palo Alto announced that two women had been arrested in connection with an attempt to steal items from the RealReal clothing boutique downtown.

At the time, cops detailed how 30 to 40 people arrived in some 20 cars and tried to break down the glass front door but it held. A security guard then reported the effort via a 911 call, which spurred the crowd to flee as police started to arrive.

The suspects were subsequently stopped in a car near the scene, where police said they found at least $15,000 in clothes from a second RealReal location that was burglarized in Larkspur earlier that night.

Californian cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco have seen a string of brazen threats in recent weeks

In another incident later that day, five more people pleaded not guilty to felony charges involving thefts – this time in San Francisco.

Nine people were initially charged in the string of attacks on San Francisco stores such Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Bloomingdale’s in the city’s downtown area and in Union Square – a posh shopping district popular with tourists that was teeming with holiday shoppers. 

Aside from the organized crime rings, the growing problem has been attributed to police officers’ apparent reluctance to pursue such criminals in the current political climate, prosecutors’ failure to prioritize larceny and theft, and the decriminalization of low-level offenses in some jurisdictions. 

Last week, the San Francisco Bay Area saw a string of audacious ‘smash-and-grab’ robberies, including an incident involving a gaggle of hammer-wielding masked bandits who ransacked jewelry, sunglasses and clothing stores at the Southland Mall in the San Jose suburb of Hayward on November 21. 

That same evening, packs of thieves ransacked a sunglasses store and a Lululemon store in San Jose, stealing nearly $50,000 in merchandise.

The day prior, on November 20, police said as many as 80 suspects, some wearing ski masks and carrying crowbars, targeted a Nordstrom in the San Francisco suburb of Walnut Creek, assaulting employees and stealing merchandise before fleeing in waiting cars, police and witnesses said. 

Another incident, on November 19, saw roving bands of thieves brandishing hammers and crowbars hit a string of high-end retailers, including Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Bloomingdales, as well as a Walgreens pharmacy and several marijuana dispensaries, in the vicinity of Union Square in San Francisco, a high-end area popular with tourist that was crowded with holiday shoppers.