[Deathwatch] Sean Levert, singer, 39

[Deathwatch Central <cdw@slick.org>]

Singer Sean Levert dies in jail at 39
By Steve Jones

R&B's Levert family has lost a second son.

Singer Sean Levert, one-third of the trio LeVert and son of O'Jays
singer Eddie Levert, died late Sunday when he fell ill in a Cleveland
jail. He was 39.

The entertainer's death came just 16 months after his brother, R&B star
Gerald Levert, died at age 40 from an accidental mix of prescription
and over-the-counter drugs.

"There are no words that can express what we are feeling today. There
is no song that can capture the loss that we have in our hearts," the
family said in a statement. "But we are humbly overwhelmed by the
generous outpouring of love, condolences and support from the many
friends, fans and admirers of our son Sean.

"At this very difficult time, we thank you for your prayers and hope
you will understand our need for privacy."

An autopsy Monday was inconclusive, but there was no evidence of foul
play, the coroner's office said. Funeral arrangements were pending.

Sean, Gerald and longtime friend Marc Gordon released six albums as
LeVert from 1986 to 1997. Their hits included (Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop) Goes
My Mind, My Forever Love, ABC-123, Casanova and Just Coolin'.

Sean, who released solo album The Other Side in 1995, found a new third
partner for LeVert last year, former Rude Boys singer Dwight Thompson,
and they had played some dates together.

Sean and his father performed Luther Vandross' Dance With My Father at
Gerald's funeral in 2006. Last June, Eddie Levert told USA TODAY: "I
miss (Gerald) very much, not only as a son but as a friend and comrade.
Show business is a lonely business, and it is hard to make friends you
can confide in."

Sean was sent to the Cuyahoga County, Ohio, jail last week for 22
months for failing to pay $85,000 in child support for his three
children. He died at Lutheran Hospital in Cleveland less than an hour
after he was taken there. Toxicology reports could take four to six
weeks.

According to the website of Cleveland's WKYC-TV, he spent five days in
jail before he began to display bizarre behavior, the sheriff's
department said. On Sunday evening, Sean was placed in restraints
without resistance and found in distress about 20 minutes later, jail
officials said.

Many thanks to Deathwatch Central for posting this obituary