Steve Mensch, who is the president of Atlanta-based Tyler Perry Studios, died on Friday night when the small plane that he was piloting crashed on Florida’s Gulf Coast, according to NBC South Florida 6.
Tyler Perry Studios confirmed the news that the 62-year old president and general manager had died in the crash that happened in Homosassa, which is about 60 miles north of Tampa.
“We are incredibly saddened by the passing of our dear friend Steve Mensch,” the studio said in an official statement. “Steve was a cherished member of our team for more than eight years and well-beloved in the community of Atlanta. It’s hard to imagine not seeing him smiling throughout the halls. We will miss him dearly. Our heart goes out to his family as we all send them our prayers.”
Mensch died on the same day that Perry released “The Six Triple Eight” which is a war drama based on a mostly Black and all-female World War II battalion that was shot at the Atlanta studio.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are currently investigating.
