Tupac’s Mother Afeni Shakur Dead at 69

Sad news out of California this morning, as a sheriff's office in Marin County has announced that Afeni Shakur, the mother to the late rapper Tupac Shakur, has passed away at the age of 69. Deputies responded to Shakur's Sausalito, Calif. home Monday night (May 2) after she suffered a possible cardiac arrest, the New York Daily News is reporting. She was taken to a local hospital and died just before 10:30 p.m.

Tupac fans will know Afeni well, as the rapper often penned songs about his mother, including 1995's "Dear Mama," in which he detailed the struggle the two endured and expressed tremendous appreciation for her. Mother's Day is this upcoming Sunday as well.

Following Pac's death, Afeni oversaw the rapper's estate and legacy which recently included a biopic on the rapper titled All Eyez on Me. The film was in jeopardy of losing the rights to Pac's music had production not begun in 2015, which it did in mid-December. Danai Gurira of The Walking Dead was cast as Afeni shortly after, on January 11.

The news of Afeni's death no doubt casts a shadow over film production as this significant piece of Tupac's legacy, one that his mother played a crucial role in, will have to continue without her. Afeni was listed as an executive producer for the film, which is expected to be released in November, a few months after the 20th anniversary of Tupac's death.

The Marin County Sheriff's Coroner's Office will lead an investigation to determine the cause and manner of Afeni's death. All condolences are extended to the Shakur family. The story can be read in greater detail at the Daily News.