Son Of Little Caesar's Founder Discovered Dead In Hotel Room Surrounded By Drugs

Feb. 26 2018, Published 6:02 p.m. ET

The son of billionaire Little Caesars founder Mike Ilitch was found dead in a Michigan hotel room, surrounded by drugs at 61.

Ronald Ilitch body was discovered dead on the floor of his Marriott Hotel room in Troy, Michigan. Police say a variety of drugs were found in the hotel room, many of which were prescribed, and an investigation into the cause of death is underway.

“On behalf of my mother Marian Ilitch and our entire family, I want to express our sadness and grief at Ron’s passing,” Christopher Ilitch, president and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, said of his brother in a statement. “We’re devastated about this loss, and we ask for respect of the family’s privacy during this difficult time.”

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The father-of-four has previously had some run-ins with the police over drugs, and was arrested in 2014 on cocaine charges.

Two years later, he faced two counts of domestic violence-related assault and battery, after his live-in girlfriend said he beat her in their home.

Ronald was the son of Little Caesars Pizza founders Marian and Mike Ilitch. His father Mike also owned the Detroit Tigers and Red Wings, until his death last year.