Sad news this morning.

Don Cornelius, the man who is credited with creating “Soul Train,” was found dead in his Sherman Oaks, CA home in the early morning hours of Wednesday (February 1, 2012).

Law enforcement sources have confirmed that the legendary MC apparently committed suicide.

Details below:Authorities discovered Cornelius’ body at around 4 AM PT.? He was dead from a gunshot wound to the head and officials believe the wound was self-inflicted.

Cornelius was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Officials have notified Don’s family.

During Don’s bitter divorce proceedings in 2009, he told an L.A. judge he was suffering from “significant health issues” and wanted to “finalize this divorce before I die.”

Cornelius was arrested in 2008 for beating up his wife. He pled no contest to misdemeanor domestic violence and was placed on 3 years probation. His probation just terminated.

The divorce was granted in 2010.

Sources close to Don tell us … the TV icon was plagued with health issues for years … including a stroke and a condition that required brain surgery.

Cornelius was 75.

Reports are that there was no sign of foul play, but the Los Angeles Police Department was investigating.

In a 2010 interview with The Times, he said he was excited about a movie project he was developing about “Soul Train.”

“We’ve been in discussions with several people about getting a movie off the ground. It wouldn’t be the ‘Soul Train’ dance show, it would be more of a biographical look at the project,” he said. “It’s going to be about some of the things that really happened on the show.”

According to a Times article, Cornelius’ “Soul Train” became the longest-running first-run nationally syndicated show in television history, bringing African American music and style to the world for 35 years.

Cornelius stopped hosting the show in 1993, and “Soul Train” ceased production in 2006. The “Soul Train” line will forever be a fan favorite and Cornelius only went down the “line” once in his entire career…

VIDEO: Don Cornelius Dances in Soul Train Line w/Mary Wilson

Have you participated in a “Soul Train” Line recently?

VIDEO: Soul Train Line Jungle Boogie

Did you watch “Soul Train”?

R.I.P. Donald Cortez “Don” Cornelius

(September 27, 1936 – February 1, 2012)

(source 1 and 2)

FULL PHOTO GALLERY