An NHL legend Claude Lemieuxthe body was found by his grown son early Thursday, May 28, at the family's furniture store in Florida, Us Weekly can confirm.
It is reported that his family became worried when he did not return home, and even forced one of his grown sons to check on him. Lemieux, who was 60, was found around 3 a.m. in the back storage area. He died of apparent suicide.
The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's office confirmed Lemieux's death Us on Thursday, but did not provide further details.
Lemieux is survived by his wife, Deborahdaughter Claudia, and sons Brendan, Christopher and Michael. The store did not specify which son the four-time Stanley Cup champion got.
Lemieux's NHL career spanned 21 seasons and included the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche, Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars and San Jose Sharks.
“Today is a dark day for the Canadiens family and the entire hockey community,” the Canadiens owner said Geoff Molson said the statement. “I wish to convey my sincere and deepest condolences to Claude's family and loved ones.”
He continued, “A fierce competitor who rose to the occasion in the big moments, Claude was a relentless, courageous, and tenacious player who led the team to the highest honors. He embodies the very essence of being a Montreal Canadiens player. Today we mourn the untimely passing of one of our champions. Our thoughts are with his family on this difficult day.”
The unit also released a statement, saying in part, “He was loved by his wife and four children, and on behalf of the Lemieux family, we kindly ask that everyone respect their privacy during this difficult time.”
Lemieux was known for his intensity on the ice, logging 1,777 penalty minutes in 1,215 games and developing friendships with penalty box guards across the league. He also finished his long career with 379 goals and 407 assists.
Since news of Lemieux's death broke, more tributes have poured in, from the NHL and beyond. Premier of Quebec Christine Fréchette issued a statement about X calling his death a “great loss.”
“Claude Lemieux, he was my generation,” he wrote. “A wonderful man in our hockey, a player with a heart in his belly. His death seems so sudden, just days after I saw him proudly carrying the torch at the Bell Center. My thoughts are with his loved ones.”
“We were friends, neighbors, when I go back to Arizona to play, you're going to be missed,” the former MLB pitcher said. Curt Schilling added with an X.
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