Alireza Pahlavi Commits Suicide: Former Shah’s Son Found Dead
The former Shah of Iran’s second son, Alireza Pahlavi, was found dead today, January 4, 2011, in his Boston area apartment.
“It is with immense grief that we would like to inform our compatriots of the passing away of Prince Alireza Pahlavi.” His older brother, Reza Pahlavi, wrote on his website today along with the announcement of the sad news.
“Like millions of young Iranians, he too was deeply disturbed by all the ills fallen upon his beloved homeland, as well as carrying the burden of losing a father and a sister in his young life.”
Nearly 10 years after his younger sister Leila’s death in 2001, Alireza’s untimely death has been declared a suicide.
Pahlavi, who is said to have died of a gunshot wound, would have celebrated his 45th birthday this year on April 28th.
During his acedemic career, Pahlavi earned a BA from Princeton, a Masters Degree from Columbia, and attended Harvard in “pursuit of a PhD. in Ancient Iranian Studies.”
He is survived by his mother Farah Pahlavi, brother Reza, sister Farahnaz, and half-sister Shahnaz.
