One of the most influential managers in the world of hip hop died last night in what seems to be a suicide. Chris Lighty died after shooting himself in his South Riverdale home. His clients, 50 Cent, P. Diddy and Mariah Carey are all in shock and can’t explain why he chose to kill himself.

The New York Daily News writes that Mariah Carey’s longtime manager Chris Lighty was found dead in his South Riverdale home at 11:30 a.m. The 44-year-old hip hop mogul was lying face up on the basement patio next to a 9-mm pistol. Apparently the veteran music manager killed himself following a heated argument with his former wife Veronica in the Bronx.

Sources say that Chris Lighty might have had enough after a recent argument with Veronica, his ex wife. Apparently the 44-year-old hip hop manager was preparing to move out of the house when another heated argument with Veronica got him over the edge. Sources say Chris Lighty was overheard saying: “I’m tired of this” and then walked away only to shoot himself in the head.

It’s almost unconceivable a man like Chris Lighty could kill himself. Chris Lighty always seemed to be a positive man and his successful professional career was an inspiration for many in the music industry. He was a powerful but thoughtful manager, and artists such as Mariah Carey, 50 Cent, Diddy or Busta Rhymes will confirm that.

But underneath all that glamour and his confident smile, Chris Lighty was a troubled man. The hip-hop mogul’s wife told the police the manager of Mariah Carey and 50 Cent had a lot of financial concerns, including a $5 million debt to the IRS.

But The Associated Press reports that financial woe was cleared after Chris Lighty sold a Manhattan apartment last October. Mariah Carey’s longtime manager got $5.6 million out of the real estate deal, just enough to cover his debt with the IRS. There were other financial issues, but none so big that would make a man shoot himself in the head.

His personal life was in a tough place too. Veronica and Chris Lighty filed for divorce last year. According to police sources, just before the hip hop mogul killed himself he had a heated argument with his former wife.

P. Diddy tweeted he was still “in shock”, while many other hip hop stars sent thanks to the man that saved their lives.