Singer Teena Marie Dead at 54

Known for her '70s and '80s chart success, the "Lovergirl" star found dead in her home Sunday

By Brandi Fowler Dec 27, 2010 2:00 AMTags
Teena MarieVivien Killilea/WireImage

What initially appeared to be just another Twitter-spawned celebrity death hoax has turned out to be a sad reality. 

Teena Marie, the R&B singer known best for her hit songs "Lovergirl" and "I'm a Sucker for Your Love," has died at 54.

Following a rash of tweets proclaiming Marie's passing, her manager, Mike Gardner, confirmed the death of the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Sunday, after she was found dead in her Pasadena home by her daughter.

Pasadena police say she appears to have succumbed to natural causes, but the official cause of death won't be determined until the Los Angeles County coroner performs an autopsy.

Marie, born Marie Christine Brockert in Santa Monica, was signed to Motown Records in 1976. She had a string of hits in the late '70s and '80s, releasing 13 studio albums and developingd a partnership with the late Rick James that spawned "Fire & Desire."

Just hours before her death, on Christmas day, Marie headed to Twitter to wish fans a Merry Christmas.

"May Gods Light always shine on you and your family!" she wrote. "May you have the most joyous Holliday season ever! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year."