Rapper Heavy D dies of respiratory problems at 44

Heavy D performed at the BET hiphop awards on oct 1

  Rapper and actor Heavy D, who played an influential role in shaping rap music in the late '80s and early '90s with a fusion of New Jack Swing and reggae, has died. He was 44.
Heavy D, who was born Dwight Arrington Myers, died Tuesday in the emergency room at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after collapsing on the walkway outside his Beverly Hills home, according to law enforcement sources.
According to TMZ; 

Heavy D had just returned from shopping and walked up some stairs when he began having trouble breathing.  Adam Mills, a designer who was in the building and knew Heavy D, found him leaning against a railing and clearly in distress.  Adam tells us he cradled Heavy D in his lap as others called 911.  Adam says Heavy D was conscious and said to him, "I can't breathe, I can't breathe."  When paramedics took Heavy D to the hospital he had a pulse.  People in the building are saying he died of a heart attack, but we have not been able to confirm that.  Law enforcement sources tell ... no foul play was involved and so far they only know the cause of death was "medical."

  One of his last stage performances was Micheal jackson's tribute concert in wales where he performed with latoya jackson.His last CD, "Love Opus," was released this year
Heavy D's  survivors include a daughter.