11:40am
Authorities confirmed on Friday that Venice resident and leukemia survivor, Jessie Carter Lay, died at his home in Venice
Lay, who was 44, died on Thursday, and the cause of his death was listed as “deferred,” according to the coroner’s office.
According to TMZ.com, police received a call about noon Thursday about an unconscious man and found Lay unresponsive in his bedroom. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Lay founded the Carter Lay Charitable Fund after fighting leukemia. The charity’s aim is to “raise awareness and funds to support cancer research, art programs in numerous Children’s hospitals, promote healthy living and lifestyle, after school kid’s programs, music education, and to build schools around the world to help children earn an education,” according to the nonprofit’s Facebook page.
In February this year the Fund showed support for Westminster Elementary’s Adopt the Arts program.
Lay’s grandfather, Herman Lay, founded the Frito-Lay
potato chip company, TMZ reported.
According to Forbes, The Frito-Lay empire is worth more than $13 billion.