Grandson of oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens dies in Texas

A photograph of Thomas Boone Pickens IV, who went by Ty. / Facebook

Updated 8:35 PM ET

FORT WORTH, Texas A 21-year-old grandson of Texas oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens died Tuesday after being rushed to a hospital in Fort Worth, according to police and a family spokesman.

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Thomas Boone Pickens IV, who went by Ty, was a junior at Texas Christian University. Pickens' spokesman, Jay Rosser, called the death an "unspeakable family tragedy" and asked that the family be allowed to grieve in private.

As reported by CBS Station KTVT Dallas, the family issued a statement: "Ty's loss at such a young age is an unspeakable family tragedy for the entire Pickens family and his many friends. We mourn his passing and respectfully request that the family be allowed to grieve in private in this time of sorrow."

Neither Rosser nor Fort Worth police have said what may have caused the death.

10 Photos

Thomas Boone "Ty" Pickens IV

Officers were dispatched after getting a report of a dead person at an off-campus location around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, police spokeswoman Cpl. Tracey Knight said. Police said Ty Pickens was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

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Knight said the Tarrant County medical examiner would determine the cause of death. She declined further comment.

T. Boone Pickens appears on "CBS This Morning," Aug. 23, 2012.

/ CBS News

The elder Pickens made much of his fortune in oil drilling but has since become an advocate for alternative energy. The 84-year-old also is active in politics and has donated millions of dollars to his alma mater, Oklahoma State University, and various other causes.

[rkclimber]

wow, I'm impressed. No "let's all hate on Texas" comments on this story.

yet....

[GHENRY232]

This world we live in can be one hell of a confused and complicated place at times. The bitter fruit born of adversity nonetheless contains within some seeds of hope. What good yet persists in places enshrouded by darkest pall, embers obscured in swaddling of ashes, must be elevated that our path be lit.

In moments like this we are brought face to face with our common condition, and it is beholden upon us that we truthfully witness the horror and the glory both. Condolences to the young man's family and all those touched.

[RedDeath50]

Two words:

Who cares?

[tapthedancer]

We do as a people,we care when someone hurts.
I also agree with lotsamoola why is there no outrage, when our children get shot?

[Bojax39]

RedDeath50 says: "Two words: Who cares?"

Sentiments I'm sure will be echoed by one and all when your time comes, you heartless dullard.

[DharmaBeachBum]

I send my sincere condolences to the T. Boone Pickens family. Ty had a great future in front of him. Early death is so tragic. The Pickens patriarch is such a good man -- one who thinks outside the box. Ty most likely would have been a lot like him.

[rbaygirl]

drug addiction is a disease and it doesn't matter how much or little money the family has. If he had cancer, no one would be calling him names, labeling the college a 'party' school, etc.
until people understand that addiction is a deadly, yet treatable disease, loved ones will continue to die while the family and society continue to spread misinformation and accusations about the illness and patient.
addiction is the ONLY disease that can get you locked in a cage, without treatment being an option. if it were any other medical affliction, the sick person would not be locked away or dead with society condoning or blaming the patient.

[mcsameahole]

WHO CARES!? A small side article would have been sufficient. But, headlines and a slideshow? The oil companies has the news media by the nads.

[DharmaBeachBum]

When one's grandfather is a prominent citizen of the United States, the death of a young person becomes even more newsworthy. Deal with it. You are the one who clicked on the story.
Who cares? Anyone with an ounce of humanity.

[easymoola]

Just yesterday a young lady, an honor student, who played at the Presidents inauguration was shot dead as she shielded herself from rain in Chicago unaware that there were gang members sheltering as well. Chicago and Gangs. Five hundred deaths in one year yet you don't hear a peep from the paparatzi press that follows and sniffs after the President and other politicians like blood hounds. One would think that a question to the President about why his hometown is so violent might be in order but no, our justice departmment is busy running weapons to drug cartels in Mexico or our homeland security is so worried about our soldiers returning from the battlefields to try and infiltrate and stop these gangs.

[tapthedancer]

My sincerest condolences to the family ,such a sad story.
Pain is the same to all, rich or poor,my thoughts are with you....

[kayleigh2861]

He looked like his grandfather. Terrible tragedy for the Pickens family. I will say a prayer for them tonight.

[moretruthnow]

I am so sorry for the loss of the grandson of Pickens. It is always a horrible tragedy when so young dies like this.

[Transatlantique]

I'm thinking of all that money he will never inherit. So sad. He was at a Christian University, so maybe he was slain in the spirit. You know, God does these things sometimes.

[Bojax39]

Transatlantique says: "I'm thinking of all that money he will never inherit. So sad. He was at a Christian University, so maybe he was slain in the spirit. You know, God does these things sometimes."

Wow. Showing your greed and love of money, tossing in some "comforting" religious clap-trap and blaming God all in one comment. What a masterpiece of juxtaposition.