Alireza Pahlavi, 44, - who had suffered with depression for some time according to the Daily Mail - shot himself at his home in Boston this morning (05.01.11), where he had been studying at the prestigious Harvard University.
A family statement confirmed: “It is with immense grief that we would like to inform our compatriots of the passing away of Prince Alireza Pahlavi.
‘Like millions of young Iranians, he too was deeply disturbed by all the ills fallen upon his beloved homeland, as well as carrying the burden of losing a father and a sister in his young life.
‘Although he struggled for years to overcome his sorrow, he finally succumbed.”
A statement released by the crown prince's office praised Alireza’s intelligence and loyalty.
It said: “Prince Ali Reza was intelligent, sensitive, loyal, and dedicated to Iranian civilization, as well as to his family and friends.
“His counsel, wisdom and sense of humor will be profoundly missed and always cherished.”
Police confirmed no foul play was suspected in the prince’s death.
His father, the Shah, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, died in exile in Egypt in 1980 after being ousted in Iran’s Islamic revolution while his sister Leila – a former model - was found dead in her room at the Leonard Hotel in London in 2001 aged 31, after taking a cocktail of cocaine and a prescription drug.
Mr. Pahlavi is survived by his mother, his older brother, his sister Farahnaz and his half-sister Shahnaz.
