Oscar-winning songwriter Joseph Brooks was found dead after an apparent suicide in his Manhattan apartment Sunday. A friend, who Brooks was scheduled to have lunch with, found him in his apartment. Police say a suicide note was also found.
The songwriter won the Academy Award for best song in 1977 for his romantic hit “You Light Up my Life.”
The 73-year-old was awaiting trial on sexual assault charges stemming from 91 charges of assaulting over 12 women during staged movie auditions in his apartment. He had previously denied all charges.
Prosecutors alleged that during these staged auditions, Brooks would tell women that they were playing the role of a prostitute and ask them to perform sex acts. Some women believed that they may have also been drugged.
Assault charges included counts of rape, sexual abuse, criminal sexual act and assault.
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