Jacqueline Avant, the wife of American music executive, Clarence Avant, has been shot dead in their Beverly Hills home.

The Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD) announced this in a statement on Wednesday.

According to available information, the 81-year-old philanthropist was fatally killed by multiple gunshots in a robbery attempt at Avant’s home in Maytor Place.

Mark Stainbrook, Beverly Hills police chief, has stated that the unit was informed of a shooting at Avant’s home at about 2:23 am and subsequently deployed its officials to the scene.

Stainbrook also stated that when the officers arrived at the place, the suspects had fled the scene while Jacqueline was on the floor with injuries from the gunshots.

The police chief stated that the victim was then rushed to the hospital by paramedics but she was later pronounced dead.

According to him, an investigation has started into the incident and he assured those behind the attack would be brought to book.

He hinted that the attack was a targeted one, saying “I don’t think it’s a random attack but I can’t speculate on that”.