Cause of death for Rickey Smiley’s son, Brandon, not known; foul play not suspected
No foul play is suspected in the weekend death of comedian Rickey Smiley’s son.
Brandon Jamaad Smiley, 32, was found unresponsive inside his residence by a friend, according to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office. The discovery was made by a friend at 10:07 a.m. Sunday in the 2300 block of 31st Ave. North.
Brandon Smiley was taken to UAB Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 10:52 a.m.
Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates said an autopsy performed early Monday found no evidence of trauma or foul play and the cause of death is pending additional laboratory studies.
Birmingham police are investigating.
In a brief video shared on Instagram and YouTube Sunday, Rickey Smiley said that he was on his way “to get to the airport to get to Birmingham” after getting the bad news Sunday morning. Smiley, a Birmingham native, did not address the specifics of his son’s death.
“I just want everybody to pray for me, pray for our family. My son Brandon Smiley has passed away this morning. I’m about to go get on a flight and try to get to Birmingham … Lord have mercy, Jesus,” he said.
He asked for prayers for family members, Brandon’s mother and siblings.
“I hate to announce this, I just want to give it to you before you hear it in the streets,” he said.
“I just don’t know what to do, I can’t think,” said Smiley, who went on to refer to the death of his father. “Now I see what my grandaddy went through and why the way he felt the way he felt,” he said.
Brandon Smiley had worked as a comedian and actor.