Photos: Golden Crust Caribbean Bakery Founder & CEO commits suicide in his Bronx factory

The CEO and founder of Golden Krust Restaurant, Lowell Hawthorne, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at around 5:30 p.m. Saturday in his Bronx factory.

The name Lowell Hawthorne is an institution in New York City, as he served as CEO and founder of the popular Jamaican restaurant chain, Golden Krust. Popular for its beef and chicken patties, Hawthorne’s business has become the largest Caribbean restaurant franchise in the United States. That is why, it is with sad news to report that Mr. Hawthorne has died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, yesterday, Dec. 2, at 5:30 p.m. at his Bronx factory. He was only 57.

According to the New York Daily, there was no known cause or reason why the well-known businessman and philanthropist shot himself. Several employees told the publication that they suspected something was wrong when they noticed his car was carelessly parked outside of his building. “He was a nice boss, a wonderful guy,” Everald Woods, an employee at Golden Krust since 2003, said. “He’s the kind of guy you want to work for that long. He takes care of his employees. I didn’t believe the news when I heard it at first. I don’t know if the pressures of running the business was too much, but I’m shocked.” Hawthorne first opened the Golden Krust in 1989, specializing in Jamaican beef patties. It has since then grown into more than 120 locations in nine states. Known as the “Patty King,” Hawthorne received numerous honors for his philanthropy and business achievements, including the Entrepreneur of the Year award from the accounting firm, Ernst & Young. It will be a sad day indeed for those who truly treasured Lowell Hawthorne’s contributions.