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Home • Celebrity

Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young

The news of singer Charmayne "Maxee" Maxwell's unexpected death is a shock. The 46-year-old former member of Brownstone died after an apparent fall at her Los Angeles home on February 28. "Words can not express how devastated we are at the sudden and tragic loss of our dear Maxee," said her husband Carsten Schack. Maxwell joins a long list of famous figures we've had to bid adieu to at a young age. Here's a look at other well known faces who left us too soon.
By Yolanda Sangweni and Nicole Mari · Updated October 27, 2020
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01
Charmayne Maxwell

The Brownstone singer died February 28 in her home after reportedly falling and cutting her neck on a wine glass. Her husband found her bleeding from the injury and called 911 but she died on the way to the hospital. Maxwell was 46 years old. “Words can not express how devastated we are at the sudden and tragic loss of our dear Maxee,” her husband Carsten Schack. “She was the center of our world as a devoted mother and wife. We miss her so much. We would like to thank everyone who has been there for us and expressed your condolences. They have given us comfort over these incredibly difficult days.”

Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young
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02
Anthony Mason

The former New York Knicks basketball player died February 28, 2015 two weeks after suffering a heart attack. A 13-year NBA vet, Mason was diagnosed with congestive failure a few weeks before his death. He was 48.

Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young
JP Yim/ Getty
03
Joanne Borgella

Former Wilhelmina model Joanne Borgella rose to fame after winning Mo’Nique’s Fat Chance pageant in 2005 and appearing on American Idol’s seventh season in 2008. In 2014, Borgella died from endometrial cancer at 32.

Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young
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04
Simone Battle

Singer Simone Battle of G.R.L. died of an apparent suicide on September 5, 2014. She was 25 years old.

Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young
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05
Stephanie Moseley

 

Actress, dancer and former star of VH1’s Hit the Floor, Stephanie Moseley tragically lost her life at age 30. Her husband and rapper Earl Hayes allegedly killed her in a murder-suicide.

 

Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young
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06
Titi Branch

Titi Branch, half of the sister duo founders of Miss Jessie’s hair care products, passed away on December 4, 2014. She was 45.

Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young
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07
Lee Thompson Young
Lee Thompson Young
Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young
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08
Chris Kelly
Chris Smith and Chris Kelly (L to R)
Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young
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09
Whitney Houston
Pop diva Whitney Houston passed away suddenly on February 11, 2012 at age 48.
Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young
10
Heavy D

Rap legend Heavy D died suddenly after he collapsed in the hallway of his Los Angeles condo building on November 8, 2011. He was 44. 

Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young
11
Amy Winehouse

Winehouse’s sudden death at the young in 2011 was a shock to her family and fans around the world. She was 27.

Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young
12
Aaliyah

A fatal plane crash killed this talented singer, actress, and model at the young age of 22.

Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young
13
Left Eye

A tragic car crash ended the life of Left Eye who was one third of the hit girl group TLC.

Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young
14
Tupac

Tupac was only 25 when he was shot and killed. His untimely death was devastating to the hip-hop community.

Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young
15
The Notorious B.I.G.

Biggie’s murder case remains one of the greatest mysteries of hip-hop. He died at the peak of his career when he was 24 years old.

Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young
16
Florence Griffith Joyner

Olympic gold-medalist Florence Griffith Joyner died in her sleep after suffering a severe epileptic seizure. She was only 38.

Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young
17
Eazy-E

Eazy-E, who recorded 9 studio albums during his rap career, succumbed to AIDS at the young age of 31.

Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young
18
Sam Cooke

Although Cooke was killed at the young age of 33, his classic R&B and soul hits will live on forever. With such a short life, there’s much to be seen on the screen.

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19
Otis Redding

Otis left this life after a fatal plane crash when he was only 26 years old.

Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young
20
Ol’ Dirty Bastard

An accidental drug overdose took the life Ol’ Dirty Bastard two days before his 36th birthday.

Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young
21
Minnie Ripperton

Minnie will always be known for her unique vocal range of five-and-a-half octaves. She battled breast cancer up until her death at 31 years old.

Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young
22
Jimi Hendrix

The mysterious death of Jimi Hendrix when he was only 27 shocked his fans around the world.

Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young
23
Florence Ballard

As one of the founding members of The Supremes, Florence Ballard was a singing sensation in the Motown music era and sang on ten number one songs with the successful group. At age 32, Ballard passed away due to a heart attack

Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young
24
Donny Hathaway

This notable soul musician took his own life when he was only 33 years old.

Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young
25
Bob Marley

Bob Marley is widely credited for popularizing reggae music across the world. He died of cancer when he was 36 years old.

Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young
26
M-Bone

M-Bone, the talented Cali Swag Rapper, was fatally shot during a drive-by shooting when he was only 22.

Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young
27
Merlin Santana

Best known for his role as Stanley on “The Cosby Show” and Romeo on the “Steve Harvey Show.” He was sitting in a parked car when he was fatally shot at only 22 years old.

Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young
28
Malcolm X

Nearly 30,000 mourners attended the funeral of Malcolm X when he was shot and killed at the age of 39.

Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young
29
J Dilla

This talented producer made hits for A Tribe Called Quest, Busta Rhymes, and Common before a rare blood disease claimed his life at age 32.

Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young
30
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. King was infamously assassinated during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. He was only 39.

Gone Too Soon: Celebs Who Died Young