Dexter Scott King, the youngest son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, has died at 62 years-old. According to multiple sources, King passed away from prostate cancer.
Some of the King family have responded publicly to his passing. Dexter Scott King’s elder brother, Martin Luther King III posted on social media about his brother’s passing.
“I am deeply saddened to share that my brother, Dexter Scott King, has passed away,” wrote Martin Luther King III on X. “The sudden shock is devastating. It is hard to have the right words at a moment like this. Please keep the entire King family in your prayers, and in particular Dexter’s wife, Leah Weber King.”
His wife, Leah Weber King, also provided a statement. “He transitioned peacefully in his sleep at home with me in Malibu.” She said in a statement obtained by CNN. “He gave it everything and battled this terrible disease until the end. As with all the challenges in his life, he faced this hurdle with bravery and might.”
Dexter Scott King took up his parent’s civil rights mantle with his work through the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change, which was founded by Coretta Scott King to uphold her husband’s legacy. Dexter Scott King served as a chairman at the organization — which is led by his youngest sister Dr. Bernice King.
Dexter Scott King was also a published writer, whose book “Growing Up King: An Intimate Memoir” — painted a picture of his early life and the assassination of his father.
His loss has also elicited an outpouring from prominent Black figures across social media — who are mourning his passing.