'Elvis' actress Shonka Dukureh found dead in her Nashville apartment
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Shonka Dukureh, the actress who portrayed Big Mama Thornton in Baz Luhrmann's "Elvis," was found dead Thursday.
Metro Nashville Police report the 44-year-old blues singer was found in the bedroom of her Kothe Way apartment which she shared with her two young children. Police say one of her children found her unresponsive Thursday morning and ran to a neighbor's apartment. The neighbor then called 911.
Foul play is not suspected. Her death is unclassified at this time as detectives await autopsy results from Medical Examiner's Office.
Dukureh was a graduate of Fisk University.
Nashville Mayor John Cooper released the following statement Thursday:
"My deepest condolences to the family of Shonka Dukureh. Shonka graduated from Fisk and called Nashville home for many years. Her powerful voice and artistry will live on through her music, and we honor her memory on this sad day."
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