Heavy D Is Dead (PHOTOS)

Grandmaster Flash just passed on some terrible news: Heavy D has passed away.

PHOTOS: Heavy D Through The Years 

We are told he died in a Los Angeles hospital at 1pm today after being rushed there at 12pm.

LIST: Twitter Reacts To The Death Of Heavy Weight

He recently returned from an overseas trip where he caught pneumonia. He was 44 years old.

**UPDATE via TMZ**

Law enforcement tell 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 us ... no foul play was involved and so far they only know the cause of death was "medical."

His last tweet was magical, which came just 15 hours ago.

Heavy D was most widely known for his role in the hip hop group Heavy D & The Boyz which included G-Whiz "Trouble" T. Roy, and Eddie F.

Known for his hit songs like "Nuttin But Love" and "Now That We Found Love," Heavy D was the first rapper to embrace his size and proclaim himself the "Overweight Lover."

Most recently, Heavy D performed his hit song "Now That We Found Love" on this year's BET Hip-Hop Awards.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his entire family, friends and fans.

Story Developing...

**UPDATE**

TMZ REPORTS:

We've learned a 911 call was placed from Heavy's Beverly Hills home around 11:25 AM to report an unconscious male on the walkway .

When help arrived, we're told Heavy D was conscious and speaking -- and was transported to a nearby hospital.

He died a short time later.

Cops are investigating the death -- and so far, there are no obvious signs of foul play. Police are currently at the home.

Photos

Heavy D Through The Years (PHOTOS)