Singer son of O’Jays star dies

CLEVELAND – Sean Levert, a third of the 1980s R&B trio LeVert and son of lead O’Jays singer Eddie Levert, has died after falling ill while serving a jail term. He was 39.

Authorities said on Monday that an autopsy was inconclusive but foul play was ruled out. Levert was sentenced last week to one year and 10 months in jail for failing to pay US$89 025 in child support.He died in hospital late on Sunday, less than an hour after he was taken there from the jail, said coroner Frank Miller.Levert was sentenced by Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Nancy Margaret Russo, who said a presentence report indicated he had been addicted to marijuana from the time he was 14 until recently.He didn’t speak at his sentencing and gave no indication of any health problems, the judge said on Monday.His brother Gerald Levert, who had success as a solo artist after leaving their trio died in 2006 at age 40 of an accidental mix of prescription and over-the-counter drugs.The brothers had formed LeVert in the 1980s with childhood friend Marc Gordon.Their hits included ‘Baby I’m Ready’, ‘(Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop) Goes My Mind’ and ‘Casanova’.’Casanova’ was nominated for a Grammy in 1988 for best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocal.It was also nominated for best R&B song.Levert suffered from high blood pressure and had reportedly been hallucinating in jail.Sean Levert had pleaded guilty last week to six counts of non-support involving children ages 11, 15 and 17.Nampa-APLevert was sentenced last week to one year and 10 months in jail for failing to pay US$89 025 in child support.He died in hospital late on Sunday, less than an hour after he was taken there from the jail, said coroner Frank Miller.Levert was sentenced by Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Nancy Margaret Russo, who said a presentence report indicated he had been addicted to marijuana from the time he was 14 until recently.He didn’t speak at his sentencing and gave no indication of any health problems, the judge said on Monday.His brother Gerald Levert, who had success as a solo artist after leaving their trio died in 2006 at age 40 of an accidental mix of prescription and over-the-counter drugs.The brothers had formed LeVert in the 1980s with childhood friend Marc Gordon.Their hits included ‘Baby I’m Ready’, ‘(Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop) Goes My Mind’ and ‘Casanova’.’Casanova’ was nominated for a Grammy in 1988 for best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocal.It was also nominated for best R&B song.Levert suffered from high blood pressure and had reportedly been hallucinating in jail.Sean Levert had pleaded guilty last week to six counts of non-support involving children ages 11, 15 and 17.Nampa-AP

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