Def Jam Executive Dies From Self-Inflicted Gunshot

ATLANTA – Police say the executive who succeeded Jay-Z as the head of hip-hop music label Def Jam Recordings has died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound near Atlanta.

The New York City-based company said in a statement that executive vice president Shakir Stewart died on Saturday.

Cobb County police spokeswoman Cassie Reece said Sunday the 34-year-old was found in the bathroom of his home in Marietta, a suburb of Atlanta. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

Police say he shot himself with a handgun but wouldn't say who discovered him.

Stewart signed such artists as Rick Ross and Young Jeezy to the label before being named in June to the post once filled by Jay-Z.