Update: A report surfaced saying Golden Krust CEO Lowell Hawthorne committed suicide over his massive tax debt and a potential tax evasion probe from the government. According to a detective who spoke to Hawthorne’s family member, the CEO told some of his family about the debt and reportedly started “talking to himself” and “acting funny” shortly before his suicide.
Source: nypost.com
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The founder and CEO of Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill who emigrated to the United States from Jamaica killed himself inside his Bronx factory on Saturday (December 2nd).
According to the New York Daily News, Lowell Hawthorne, 57, allegedly shot himself inside the Park Ave. Factory near E. 173rd St. in Claremont around 5:30 p.m. “He was a good boss, humble and a good businessman,” said Pete Tee, a 27-year-old former employee. “He never seemed sad. This is just terrible news right now.”
Golden Krust opened its first restaurant in 1989 in The Bronx after Hawthorne, his wife Lorna, four of his siblings and their spouses, put their money together to open up the franchise. The restaurant became more successful and popular as time went on. In total, Hawthorne owned about 120 stores in nine different states. The restaurant became the first Caribbean-owned business in the United States to be granted a franchise license, according to its website.
On Nov. 28, Hawthorne made a post on Facebook reflecting on his life. “I was always in search of the next honest means to make a dollar. Like many transplanted Caribbean nationals, I struggled to work and raise a family. I can only thank God for everything I have achieved,” he wrote.
“If my story here can inspire others to rise up and give it a go, I would have accomplished something meaningful.”
Source: nydailynews.com
