Celebrity Deaths
NHL Great Claude Lemieux Was Found Dead by His Son in Family’s Furniture Store
Claude Lemieux, the late Canadian ice hockey player who played 21 seasons in the National Hockey League, was reportedly found dead by one of his adult sons.
TMZ reported on Thursday, May 28, that the four-time Stanley Cup winner died by suicide at age 60. The outlet reported that he was found by one of his sons around 3 a.m. on Thursday in the family’s furniture store after he failed to return home.
Lemieux’s body was reportedly located in a rear warehouse.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office told The New York Times‘ The Athletic that authorities responded Thursday morning to a suicide attempt at a furniture showroom, which is owned by Lemieux and his wife, Deborah.
According to The Athletic, Lemieux had three sons (including former NHL player Brendan Lemieux) and one daughter. It is unclear which of his sons allegedly found their father’s body at the showroom.
The NHL Alumni Association announced Lemieux’s death on Thursday with a post shared to Instagram.
“The NHL Alumni Association is devastated to share that Claude Lemieux has passed away at the age of 60,” the statement, which charted his 21-year career, stated.
“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,” the post added.
According to the NHL Alumni Association, memorial service details will be announced at a later date.
Joe Sakic, who played with Lemieux for the Colorado Avalanche, called him “a loyal friend who would do anything for his teammates and someone you could always count on,” per The Athletic.
“Today is a very sad day for the Avalanche family and Claude will be greatly missed by all of us who had the privilege of knowing him,” he said.
“He was a wonderful family man, and there is nothing he enjoyed more than spending time with his grandchildren,” Sakic added.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
