'80s Pop Diva Vesta Williams Found Dead in Los Angeles

By

&

by Marianne Garvey | Fri., Sep. 23, 2011 8:12 AM

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Hitmaking '80s R&B star Vesta Williams, who often went by just Vesta, has reportedly been found dead in a hotel room in Los Angeles.

No immediate details surrounding the death were immediately released, and the Los Angeles Police Department tells E! News they have no knowledge of the tragedy as of yet. But that hasn't stopped the singer's many famous fans from taking to Twitter to offer up remembrances and condolences to the "Congratulations" soul singing diva.

Here's what they're saying about the beloved hitmaker...

MORE: This year's big movie star death

Veta's pal Kimora Lee Simmons, responded to the news of her death with "R.I.P. Ms. Vesta Williams. What a tremendous talent + great soul! Cuz as long as I can breathe, you'll always be the one for me!"

Jackée Harry of 227 fame also reacted to her friend's passing with a tweet saying: "Just received truly devastating news: R&B great, and my friend of many yrs, Vesta Williams (@vesta4u) has passed away."

Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph tweeted: "I am so deeply saddened at the passing of my diva friend Vesta Williams. RIP Vesta." She also posted a link to Vesta's last ever performance on Sept. 19, where she sang "Congratulations" at a jazz festival.

And comedian Sinbad professed his love for the singer on his Twitter page, saying: "Our dead sister and one of the sangiest divas ever, Vesta Williams, has passed away. I lovedthat sister."

Vesta was a smash hit in the mid '80s until the early '90s, with her 1988 album Vesta 4U producing two huge hits, "Congratulations," and "I'll Be Good to You."

In an interview done just last year, the gorgeous singer, whose age is being widely reported as 48, though who professed on tape to being 53, called her life "blessed, gifted and highly favored."

RIP Vesta.

PHOTOS: Celebrity Deaths: 2011's Fallen Stars