UPDATE: Despite reports from news agencies such as CBS News, it is now believed that earlier suggestions that the Los Angeles Police Department had confirmed Petty’s death are inaccurate, as per this tweet from TMZ:
UPDATE At this time, Tom’s still clinging to life. A report that the LAPD confirmed the singer’s death is inaccurate https://t.co/bh8sqdvEw9 pic.twitter.com/drKY64eG1z
— TMZ (@TMZ) October 2, 2017
Rock n’ roll legend Tom Petty, known best for his work with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers as well as folk rock supergroup The Travelling Wilburys, has reportedly been taken off life support after he was discovered in cardiac arrest at his Malibu home.
TMZ initially reported – via a source in law enforcement – that the 66-year-old was found “unconscious, not breathing and in full cardiac arrest” at home, and was transported to UCLA Santa Monica Hospital.
An addendum to TMZ’s report claims that “a decision was made to pull [Petty’s] life support” due to a lack of brain activity.
Already, tributes are flooding from fans on social media:
no words. just thanks. @tompetty pic.twitter.com/224gn9GNbo
— Cameron Crowe (@CameronCrowe) October 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/DarrenKavinoky/status/914939099747803136
https://twitter.com/Ron_Clements/status/914939067808321537
My heart is broken. My thoughts go out to @tompetty ‘s family. Tom, you will always be a keystone in my life and continue to inspire me.
— Lzzy Hale (@LZZYHALE) October 2, 2017
No official statement has been made by the Petty camp – we’ll keep you posted.
