
While shocked tributes were pouring in for the slain wife of legendary “The Godfather of Black Music,” Jackie Avant, Beverly Hills Police were hard at work putting together the pieces of the fatal home invasion.
According to yesterday’s media release, the Beverly Hills Police communications center received a phone call at 2:23 a.m. in response to a shooting that had just occurred in Trousdale Estates, a posh community in the foothills of the Santa Monica mountains.
Celebrity residents have included Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Curtis, Ray Charles, Howard Hughes, and Groucho Marx. Late President Richard Nixon also lived there. More recently, Jennifer Aniston, David Spade, Zoë de Givenchy, Vera Wang, John Rich, Jane Fonda, Richard Perry, Markus Persson, Ringo Starr, Simon Cowell, and Charlie Puth have lived in the neighborhood
When police units arrived, they discovered Mrs. Avant, whom was not named in the report, with a gunshot wound. BH Fire Department paramedics transported her to a Cedars-Sinai, but she did not survive. Husband Clarence was not injured.
Beverly Hills Police Chief Mark Stainbrook, who was just sworn in the day before, held a press conference for reporters yesterday at 2 PM.
“This is a difficult day for our city,” Stainbrook began. “First and foremost, on behalf of our entire department, Our City Council and community, I wish to extend our deepest condolences to the victim’s family in this case.”
He later insinuated the couple may have been deliberately targeted, rather than the victim of random thugs.
“I don’t think it’s a random attack, but I can’t speculate on that right now,” Stainbrook continued.” He said at the time of the shooting, Clarence Avant and a security guard were home, and that no one else was injured. The suspect or suspects, he said, are still at large.
He added, “Obviously, someone went into the home, we just don’t know what the purpose was… a lot of times people think home invasion when it comes to robbing or burglarizing a residence. … I think there are a lot of nuances to the term home invasion.”
The street leading to the Avant’s home is taped off as police investigate possible motivea. Stainbrook said it was too soon to classify the shooting as a home invasion. “We will not speculate on anything that’s out there, including if this was a robbery attempt or not,” he said.
The Police Chief also read a statement shared by the Avant family: “Jacqueline was an amazing woman, wife, mother, philanthropist, and a 55-year resident of Beverly Hills, who has made an immeasurable positive contribution and 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.”
Footage from the scene showed a shattered sliding glass door, and according to The Los Angeles Times, at least one suspect got into the home before gunshots rang out. But it was not clear how many were involved.
It is unclear if anything was actually taken during the invasion. Police have said both Clarence Avant and a security guard were at home at the time, though they were unharmed.
REELated: Jackie Avant, wife of Clarence Avant, killed in Beverly Hills home invasion
Tributes Pour in
From former President Bill Clinton to Earvin “Magic” Johnson, tributes from around the country poured in for the elegant philanthropist, who also served as President of the Neighbors of Watts. Avant was on the board of the International Student Center at the University of California, Los Angeles.
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.
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) December 1, 2021
Cookie and I are absolutely devastated at the loss of one of our closest friends Jackie Avant. She was senselessly murdered last night in a home invasion.???????? This is the saddest day in our lives.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) December 1, 2021
So sorry for the Avant family. My heart goes out to you!!! OMG!!!! Where are we??!!! WHAT are we?!! ????????????https://t.co/mhyGK4Nm3j
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) December 1, 2021
At Jackie’s age she was no threat. This was just evil, unnecessary violence. Imagine living this long just to pass this way. They were married 54 years. I went to school with their son, Alex. I can’t imagine the heartache. ???? https://t.co/qT45t6vw7F
— Vintage Los Angeles (@alisonmartino) December 1, 2021
This one hurts deep. Tragic & senseless violence. Who murders an 81 year old woman? Miss Jackie was the sweetest person you’d ever meet; just talking to her was pure joy. Class act. Pulling & praying for my friend and brother Clarence and the Avant family. pic.twitter.com/HOcGJBvipz
— Tavis Smiley (@tavissmiley) December 1, 2021
I'm devastated and heartbroken by the loss of Jackie Avant. She was an endlessly kind and generous soul who always sought out new ways to give back and lift others up. My heart goes out to Clarence, Alex, Nicole, and the entire Avant family.
— Al Gore (@algore) December 2, 2021
This Jackie Avant murder has me physically ill.
— Jaime Primak (@JaimePrimak) December 1, 2021
I am gutted. Come Jesus – truly. Come quickly ????
This hit me hard. Such senseless violence. I spent many hours watching the wonderful Jackie Avant in a dark editing room back in 2017. As a documentary editor, the people whose stories you tell become part of your own life and memories, even if they don’t know you. RIP. https://t.co/RtjuBbWS32
— Inbal Lessner, ACE (she/her) (@inbal_lessner) December 1, 2021
The heaviness of my heart today is unlike any other that I have ever experienced in my life…The news of the tragic loss of my beautiful “sister-in-law” Jacquie Avant is devastating beyond words.
— Quincy Jones (@QuincyDJones) December 2, 2021