Tom Petty: Dead at 66

Updated 11:35 PM CDT 10.2.17

Tom Petty Confirmed Dead - After nearly 24 hours and spates of conflicting news information from various outlets, Thomas Earl Petty has died, as confirmed by Tony Dimitriades the longtime manager of 'Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers'. "...we are devastated to announce the untimely death of our father, husband, brother, leader and friend Tom Petty. He suffered cardiac arrest at his home in Malibu in the early hours of this morning and was taken to UCLA Medical Center but could not be revived. He died peacefully at 8:40 PM PDT surrounded by family, his band-mates and friends" said Dimitriades.

An official cause of death has not been announced - it was circulated throughout the day that Petty had suffered a complete cardiac arrest late last night (Sunday) or early Monday and was found at his Malibu home with no pulse or breath. Emergency responders were able to get a pulse and he was rushed to hospital where no brain activity was observed. A chaplain was called when he was removed from life support.  Petty lingered throughout the day Monday as news reports circulated prematurely of his death, family and friends gathered around him.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers produced such hits as 'Stop Draggin' My Heart Around', 'Don't do Me Like That', and 'Free Fallin' to name a few which are now mainstays of Classic Rock and Classic Hits radio formats across the country.

Earlier today CBS News jumped the gun in reporting his death along with Rolling Stone magazine which was chastised by Petty's daughter for its tabloid yellow journalism practices.

Born in Florida on October 20, 1950, Tom Petty left a wife, Dana; daughters Adria and Annakim, a son to Dana: Dylan, and Petty had a younger brother. As of this time and due to the suddenness of his death services have not been announced.

Our deepest condolences to his family, friends and scores of fans on their loss. May he rest in the Peace of our Lord.

Updated 5:33 PM CDT 10.2.17 Petty Not Dead

Conflicting reports and information now say Petty is 'clinging to life' in UCLA's Hospital at Santa Monica. A report from the Los Angeles Police Department tweet 'cannot confirm' the singers death as reported on Billboard a while ago.

"...no brain activity.., life support pulled...chaplain called to hospital.." TMZ

On a day filled with devastating news from the west, we apologize for any inconvenience conflicting earlier reports by major news sources may have caused. Tom Petty has suffered a cardiac arrest, and was found unresponsive and without a pulse and not breathing last night. He has been taken off life support at this hour.

Updated 3:22 PM CDT 10.2.17

Tom Petty has died at the age of 66, as confirmed by CBS News.

Tom Petty, the 66 year old that broke onto the music scene in 1978 with the album 'Breakdown', was rushed to UCLA's medical facility last night at Santa Monica. At this time, his condition is not fully known, though officials have said he was "critical" after being found and rushed to the hospital last night.

According to TMZ, Petty was found unconscious, not breathing, and in full cardiac arrest. Reports indicate Petty had been removed from life support.

Petty is also known for his collaboration with the late Roy Orbison, George Harrison, and Bob Dylan, along with Jeff Lynne in a troupe they called The Travelling Wilbury's. To date, Petty has been awarded three Grammys.