BREAKING UPDATE: Director Tony Scott Dead of Apparent Suicide, Was Suffering From Brain Cancer?

UPDATE: ABC News is reporting that Scott had been suffering from inoperable brain cancer before his death.  His brother, Ridley Scott, was at London’s Heathrow airport this morning on his way to Los Angeles.

UPDATE 2: Los Angeles Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said that Scott’s autopsy would take place today.  He also confirmed that “there was a note found at [Scott’s] office by friends.”

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Breaking news today in the world of film: it is being reported that Tony Scott, famed director of TOP GUN, THE TAKING OF PELHAM 1, 2, 3, and CRIMSON TIDE, has killed himself.

TMZ reported the news yesterday afternoon that the 68-year-old director and brother of Ridley Scott jumped from the Vincent Thomas Bridge around 12:30pm.  Scott’s spokesman, Simon Halls, said in a statement:

“I can confirm that Tony Scott has passed away. The family asks that their privacy is respected at this time.”

U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Jennifer Osburn told the site that several suicide notes, written to certain family members, were found in Scott’s car, which was parked on one of the eastbound lanes of the bridge.  Authorities used sonar equipment to find his body, which was recovered at approximately 4:30pm.

Tony Scott is survived by his wife, Donna, and twin sons.