9:03 AM PT — Tyler Perry Studios has released an official statement on Steve Mensch‘s death.
“Steve was a cherished member of our team for more than 8 years, and well beloved in the community of Atlanta. It is hard to imagine not seeing him smiling throughout the halls. We will miss him dearly. Our heart goes out to his family as we all send them our prayers.”
Steve Mensch, the president and manager of general operations at Tyler Perry Studios, was killed in a single-seater plane crash in Florida on Friday night, a source close to the studios told TMZ.
Steve was the pilot of a single-seat plane that crashed on a road in Homosassa, Florida.
Highway Patrol Troopers told local media they responded to the fatal crash, which happened on West White Dogwood Drive near the intersection of US 98, which is connected to US 19 in Homosassa.
FOX 13 Tampa Bay
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Steve has been the president of Tyler Perry Studios since 2016 … and his LinkedIn profile says he oversaw operations at Tyler’s 300-acre studio in Atlanta — adding he became a “significant figure” in the Georgia business community.
TMZ is told everyone from Tyler Perry Studios is completely devastated by the news.
Steve is survived by his wife and 3 kids.
He was 62.
RIP
Originally Published — 6:32 AM PT