Andre Romelle Young Jr., Dr. Dre's son, found dead

Andre Romelle Young Jr., the son of hip-hop legend Dr. Dre of N.W.A, was found dead Saturday morning in his Woodland Hills bedroom, MTV News and the LA Weekly are reporting. He was 20.

An autopsy was conducted on Young's body Monday, but a cause of death has not yet been determined, pending the results of a toxicology report, a representative for the Los Angeles County Coroner's office told MTV News. The coroner's rep confirmed that an Andre Romelle Young Jr. passed away Saturday, but was uncertain if he was Dre's son; Dre's rep confirmed that information Tuesday (August 26).

Young was discovered in his bed at around 10:30 a.m. Saturday by his mother, who attempted to rouse him, the coroner's spokesperson said. Young was unresponsive, so she called paramedics, who responded to the scene. After their efforts to revive him failed, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the coroner's spokesperson, Young had spent the previous evening with friends. His mother told police that he'd returned home Saturday at around 5:30 a.m., and that she'd heard him in his bedroom. Police said they did not suspect foul play. - MTV

The pioneering producer and rapper from South L.A. issued a statement today through a spokesperson. "Dr. Dre is mourning the loss of his son Andre Young Jr. Please respect his family's grief and privacy at this time."

Dre is currently working on his third solo album, "The Detox." Longtime collaborator Snoop Dogg recently told Rolling Stone that the album, the first since 1999's "2001," is nearly finished and is simply awaiting  Dre's decision on which tracks would make the cut. N.W.A's groundbreaking album, "Straight Outta Compton," which Dre produced and rapped on, came out 20 years ago this month.

Update: Young Jr. was the subject of a paternity dispute 18 years ago when his mother, Jenita Porter,  sought $5,000-a-month in child support from Dre.

-- Tony Pierce

Photo: Dr. Dre by Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times