Rap mogul Chris Lighty, the much-beloved manager of artists like Diddy, 50 Cent, and Mariah Carey, died this morning in New York City from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to police. Lighty, who had founded the Violator record label and management company, was reportedly in the middle of an argument with his estranged wife, Veronica, who filed for divorce last year. Police say Lighty walked out of his Bronx apartment and, moments later, a gunshot was heard. Lighty was found dead with a handgun sitting next to him.

Besides his marital woes, sources told the New York Daily News that the 44-year-old Lighty may have been struggling financially, owing as much as $5 million to the IRS.

[Image via AP]