U.S. billionaire financier Thomas Lee dies at 78, family says

American billionaire financier Thomas H. Lee, considered a pioneer of backstage equity concern and leveraged buyouts, died astatine the property of 78, his household said successful a connection connected Thursday, without noting the origin of his death.

The New York Post, citing unidentified constabulary sources, reported Lee was discovered dormant connected Thursday greeting astatine his Fifth Avenue Manhattan office, office of his concern firm, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

According to the Post, helium was recovered aft constabulary responded to an emergency-911 telephone astir 11:10 a.m. (1610 GMT)

Reuters could not instantly corroborate the origin of death. The New York Police Department said exigency aesculapian work unit responding to a 911 telephone connected Fifth Avenue astatine astir that clip recovered a "male who was pronounced dormant astatine the scene."

Police gave nary further details, and said the metropolis aesculapian examiner's bureau would find the origin and mode of death.

The coroner's bureau could not instantly beryllium reached for comment.

"The household is highly saddened by Tom's death," Lee's household said successful a statement. "Our hearts are broken. We inquire that our privateness beryllium respected and that we beryllium allowed to grieve."

Lee was the laminitis and president of Lee Equity, which helium formed successful 2006, and antecedently served arsenic president and CEO of Thomas H. Lee Partners, which helium founded successful 1974, according to a biographical connection released by his family.

Over the past 46 years, Lee was liable for investing much than $15 cardinal of superior successful hundreds of transactions, including the acquisition and consequent income of specified marque names arsenic Snapple Beverages and Warner Music.

He was besides known arsenic a philanthropist and trustee who served connected the boards of galore organizations, including the Lincoln Center, the Museum of Modern Art, Brandeis University, Harvard University and the Museum of Jewish Heritage.

If you are having suicidal thoughts oregon are successful distress, interaction the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline astatine 988 for enactment and assistance from a trained counselor.