Tony Scott's family denies inoperable brain cancer report

(CBS/AP) The hunt for clues and answers following the death of director Tony Scott continues.

On Sunday, police removed the director's body from Los Angeles Harbor hours after they say he stopped his car on the towering Vincent Thomas Bridge and jumped.

The next day an unnamed source told ABC News that Scott, 68, was suffering from inoperable brain cancer.

But his family has since denied the story.

Coroner's Chief of Operations Craig Harvey told the Los Angeles Times, "The family told us it is incorrect that he has inoperable brain cancer."

Notes to loved ones were found at the director's office, Harvey said, adding the Scott also left "instructional" notes to family and friends.

The death was being treated as a probable suicide, but a formal determination could take a month or more as toxicology and tissue tests are completed.

In the meantime, investigators will look into Scott's health and whether any other factors contributed to his death.

"The family asks that their privacy is respected at this time," said Simon Halls, a spokesman for Scott and his older brother, Oscar-winning director, Ridley Scott.

His death stunned friends and fans and left Hollywood buzzing about what could have prompted one of the industry's more successful filmmakers to take an 18-story leap to his death.

The bridge where Scott jumped has appeared in "The Fast and the Furious," "Gone in 60 Seconds," "Charlie's Angels" and "To Live and Die in L.A." It has been used in filming 13 times since 2011, according to the California Film Commission.

Motorist David Silva told the Los Angeles Times that Scott appeared to hesitate before climbing a fence along the bridge, and again before leaping. He said fellow motorists at first thought the director was performing an extreme sports stunt, but quickly realized he didn't have a parachute or other safety equipment.

Scott directed such films as "Top Gun" and "Days of Thunder" and the 2010 film "Unstoppable" with Denzel Washington. More recently, he served as executive producer of CBS' "The Good Wife" and "Numb3rs."

Scott and Tom Cruise were also in talks to produce a "Top Gun" sequel.

"He was a creative visionary whose mark on film is immeasurable," Cruise wrote in a statement. "My deepest sorrow and thoughts are with his family at this time."