The American billionaire Thomas Lee who was active in the investment industry, was found dead, his family announced. In a statement, Thomas Lee’s family said they are “extremely sad” for the death of the 78-year-old. The New York Post reports that he shot himself in his Manhattan office, but it is not yet known whether it is indeed a suicide.

The New York Police Department told the BBC that a 78-year-old man, whose name was not released, was found dead on Thursday morning in a building on Fifth Avenue. However, the offices of Thomas H Lee Capital LLC are located at this address. According to Forbes, Lee was worth $2 billion at the time of his death. A police spokesman would not confirm that the man died of a gunshot wound, noting that the cause of death would have to be determined by a medical examiner.

In a statement to BBC News, police said that responded to a 911 call (emergency call) shortly after 11:00 (16:00 GMT) Thursday morning from an office on Fifth Avenue. “Upon arrival EMS [Οι Υπηρεσίες Επείγουσας Ιατρικής] responded and found the male deceased at the scene,” they said. A statement from family friend and spokesman Michael Sitrick said: “While the world knew him as one of the pioneers of private equity and a successful entrepreneur, we knew him as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and philanthropist who always put the needs of others before his own. ».

Thomas Lee was also known for her acquisition of Snapple soft drink company in 1992 and its sale two years later to Quaker Oats for $1.7 billion—a value 32 times what he bought it for. He also had a well-known philanthropic activity. In 1996, he donated $22 million to Harvard University, part of which has been used to provide financial aid to students. “I was lucky enough to make some money. I’m more than happy to give some of that back.” he had said then. With his wife, Anne Tenebaum he had children.