Natalie Cole's Son Found Dead at 39

Robert Yancy is believed to have died of natural causes
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 16, 2017 6:03 AM CDT
Natalie Cole's Only Child Dead at 39
In this March 2, 2015 file photo, singer Natalie Cole performs.   (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

"I cannot wait until that day that I see you again," said Natalie Cole's only child at her funeral fewer than two years ago. The day was not a long time coming: TMZ was the first to report the singer's 39-year-old son, Robert Yancy, was found dead in his San Fernando Valley apartment Monday night in the course of a welfare check; a friend had become concerned after not hearing from Yancy for a few days. The cause of death is currently listed as natural causes, but an autopsy and toxicology tests are pending. TMZ points out a history of heart issues: Cole died from congestive heart failure, and Yancy's own father was killed by a heart attack at age 34. Yancy's aunt, Timolin Cole Augustus, tells the AP, "It appears to be a sudden heart attack."

The AP provides some background on Yancy, whose father, Marvin, was the first of three husbands Cole had. The drummer toured as part of his mother's band, and had recently started performing again after mourning her death. He had words of praise for Cole at her funeral: "What a woman. She taught me how to love. She had my back every time when I needed it. The greatest gift she ever gave me was Jesus. I cannot wait until that day that I see you again." Yancy never married, and is survived by Cole's twin sisters, Timolin and Casey Cole Hooker, and five cousins. (More obituary stories.)

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