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Tyler Perry’s nephew, 26, reportedly dies in Louisiana prison cell

Union Parish Detention Center says Gavin Porter hanged himself
Writer-director-actor Tyler Perry attends the premiere of Tyler Perry's "A Fall from Grace," at Metrograph, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Writer-director-actor Tyler Perry attends the premiere of Tyler Perry's "A Fall from Grace," at Metrograph, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
By
Feb 27, 2020

The nephew of Atlanta media mogul Tyler Perry has reportedly died in Union Parish Detention Center at Farmerville in Louisiana. Officials say he hanged himself in his cell.

Gavin Porter, 26, was found in his cell around 8:30 p.m., the News-Star reported. Porter apparently hanged himself in a cell where he had been placed Saturday night after a fight involving several inmates, Union Parish Sheriff Dusty Gates told the News-Star. The sheriff said no foul play is suspected.

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Gavin Porter
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Gates told the newspaper Saturday night’s fight and Porter’s death are under investigation.

Porter was arrested in October 2016 in the shooting death of his father, Gary Wayne Porter, after the two allegedly got into a fight, according to WAFB. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Porter is the son of Perry’s sister Melva Porter.

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About the Author

Nancy Clanton is a lead producer for The AJC's platforms team, but also writes stories about health, travel, events and entertainment. A native of Knoxville and graduate of the University of Tennessee, she has worked at the AJC for 24 years.

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