Sheriff's department: Hayes likely died of stroke

[August 13, 2008]  MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Isaac Hayes apparently died of a stroke, officials with the sheriff's department said Tuesday.

The deep-voiced soul singer died Sunday after he was found unconscious at his Memphis residence. No autopsy was performed, but paperwork filed by Hayes' family physician, Dr. David Kraus, lists the cause of death as a stroke, sheriff's spokesman Steve Shular said Tuesday.

Deputies were among the emergency crews that responded after a 911 call, and sheriff's department detectives were looking into the death. Kraus told investigators that he had been treating Hayes, 65, for high blood pressure, Shular said.

Family members found Hayes lying on the floor of his home beside a treadmill that was still switched on.

Meanwhile, a memorial service will be Monday at Hope Presbyterian Church in Cordova from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

His family issued a statement Tuesday, saying: "While he was an iconic figure to many, to us he was husband, father and friend. We will ever miss his love, wisdom, humor and the familiar comfort of his voice."

The baldheaded crooner, who laid the groundwork for disco and whose "Theme From Shaft" won both Academy and Grammy awards, was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. He also acted in movies and provided the voice of Chef, the school cook, on the animated TV show "South Park."

He had recently finished work on the upcoming movie "Soul Men," in which he played himself. The movie stars Samuel Jackson and Bernie Mac, who died on Saturday.

Hayes was hospitalized in 2006 for treatment of exhaustion, family friends said at the time.

[Associated Press; By WOODY BAIRD]

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