SHINees Jonghyun dies in apparent suicide

Kim Jong-hyun, member of popular K-pop group SHINee has passed on in a clear suicide. He was 28.

Kim, better known by his stage name Jonghyun, was discovered unconscious in a leased studio loft in Cheongdam-dong, Southern Seoul on Monday. As indicated by the police, he was moved to an adjacent hospital however was later pronounced dead.

Investigators believe Kim died from inhaling toxic fumes, as they found coal briquettes consumed on a griddle after arriving at the flat. His sister had called 119 saying she thought her sibling was committing suicide.

Kim appeared in May 2008 as the primary singer of SHINee under S.M. Entertainment, and has boasted a nearly decade-long prolific career not just in group activities but as a solo singer-songwriter.