Lee Thompson Young Dead of Apparent Suicide; Rizzoli & Isles Actor was 29

Very sad news today out of the television world:

Lee Thompson Young, a veteran actor who has appeared as Detective Barry Frost on Rizzoli & Isles since 2010, was found dead today at his residence in Los Angeles. He was 29 years old.

Sources tell TMZ that Young was late for work this morning, prompting his landlord to open his apartment door to check on the star and finding his corpse inside, reportedly the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"We are all without the words to truly express our collective grief and profound sadness at the loss of such a sweet, bright light," Tweeted Rizzoli & Isles creator Janet Tamaro not long after the tragic news broke.

Young broke into acting on Disney Channel’s The Famous Jett Jackson in 1998 and also appeared in episodes of Scrubs, FlashForward and Smallville. We send our thoughts and best wishes to the 29-year old actor's friends and loved ones.

UPDATE: The actor's publicist has confirmed the suicide, while TNT has released the following statement...

Everyone at Rizzoli & Isles is devastated by the news of the passing of Lee Thompson Young. We are beyond heartbroken at the loss of this sweet, gentle, good-hearted, intelligent man. He was truly a member of our family. Lee will be cherished and remembered by all who knew and loved him, both on- and offscreen, for his positive energy, infectious smile and soulful grace. We send our deepest condolences and thoughts to his family, to his friends and, most especially, to his beloved mother.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.