Tragedy strikes Penguins owner Ron Burkle

PEOPLE Magazine is reporting that Andrew Burkle, son of Pittsburgh Penguins co-owner Ron Burkle, has been found dead in his Beverly Hills home. Andrew was just 27 years old.

Various other media outlets have confirmed the news, as well.

Awful, horrible, tragic news. Our thoughts are with the Burkle family and, by extension, the entire Penguins family.

“It is with the deepest regret and sadness that we announce the death of Andrew C. Burkle on January 6, 2020 in Beverly Hills, California,” his bereaved family said in a statement to PEOPLE Magazine. “He is deeply loved by his family and friends and will be greatly missed.”

“While the family appreciates the outpouring of love and support, they ask that the privacy of the family be respected during this difficult time. There are no further details at this time.”

Read below for reporting on this story from PEOPLE magazine:

At around 7:26 p.m. on Monday, police received a call about an “unconscious male,” a spokesman for the Beverly Hills Police Department tells PEOPLE. When officials arrived on the scene, “first responders determined the male was deceased.”

Authorities have yet to publicly identify Andrew.

A source tells PEOPLE Andrew is believed to have died early Monday in his apartment but was found later that evening. Ron, 67, rushed to the scene and was there with police, the source added.

Andrew’s sudden death comes after he spent Christmas with family. He shared a joyful Instagram post on Dec. 25, which shows him posing in front of a massive Christmas tree cuddling a young girl, believed to be a family member.

Andrew was a movie producer based out of Los Angeles and was an associate producer on 2019’s Airplane Mode. According to many who know the Burkle family personally, it was Andrew's love for hockey that spread to his father, Ron and ultimately led to Ron's purchase of the Penguins.

RIP, Andrew. Gone way, way, way too early.