Billionaire financier Thomas H. Lee takes his own life. Lee’s lifeless body discovered in his Manhattan office, succumbed to self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The financial world is reeling from the tragic news of Thomas H. Lee’s passing. The billionaire financier was found deceased at his office in New York City on Thursday, according to local reports. The New York Post has reported that police officers were called to Lee’s office at Thomas H. Lee Capital, LLC – located on the sixth floor of 767 Fifth Avenue – at approximately 11:10 a.m., where they found the 78-year-old Lee with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Despite the best efforts of emergency responders, Lee was pronounced dead at the scene.

In the wake of Thomas H. Lee’s untimely passing, a family friend and spokesperson, Michael Sitrick, has released a statement on behalf of the Lee family. Sitrick’s words paint a picture of a man who was not only a highly successful businessman, but also a loving and caring family member, friend, and philanthropist.

“While the world knew him as one of the pioneers in the private equity business and a successful businessman, we knew him as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, sibling, friend and philanthropist who always put others’ needs before his own,” Sitrick said. The depth of the family’s grief is palpable, with Sitrick adding, “Our hearts are broken.” In this difficult time, the Lee family has requested privacy as they process their loss and come to terms with their immense sorrow.