Pitchfork

Photo via Island Def Jam Music Group

Def Jam executive vice president Shakir Stewart-- the man who succeeded Jay-Z at the top of the Def Jam Recordings ladder-- committed suicide at his Marietta, Georgia home on Saturday (November 1), according to reports from the Associated Press and VIBE.com.

VIBE.com cites the local Cobb County police, who report that Stewart shot himself in the head before being officially pronounced dead at Kennestone Hospital later on Saturday. Stewart was 34 years old.

During his Def Jam tenure, Stewart signed Young Jeezy and Rick Ross. Before coming to the label, he had worked with publishing company Hitco, where he signed Beyoncé, and Arista Records, where he signed Ciara, according to the AP.

Vibe.com reports that Def Jam issued a statement over the weekend on behalf of Stewart's fiancée, Michelle Rivers, and his family. It said, "Over the past several weeks, Shakir's behavior was inconsistent with the man we all know and love. As much as we all tried to help him, Shakir was in deep pain and largely suffering in silence. Please remember Shakir for who he was...a wonderful father, partner, son and friend."