Joseph Brooks, Oscar-Winning Songwriter + Accused Rapist, Dead of Apparent Suicide - Spinner

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Joseph Brooks, the Oscar-winning songwriter of 'You Light Up My Life' who was accused of multiple counts of rape, was found dead in New York of an apparent suicide.

According to theAssociated Press, the 73-year-old's body was discovered on a couch in his Upper East Side apartment by a friend on Sunday afternoon. Brooks had a plastic laundry bag tied around his head and a towel wrapped around his neck, and a hose attached to a helium tank was connected to the bag. Police reportedly found a suicide note but the contents have not been made public.

In the 1977, Brooks found fame after penning theDebby Booneballad 'You Light Up My Life' for the film of the same name, which he also wrote, directed and produced. He would go on to win an Academy Award and a Grammy for the song.

In 2009, Brooks reentered the public eye when he was accused of the rape and sexual abuse of 13 women. He allegedly lured them to his New York City apartment under the pretense of a movie audition, drugged them and molested them. He pled not guilty and the case had yet to go to trial.

The Brooks family came under even more scrutiny in 2010 when Brooks' 26-year-old son, Nicholas, was accused of murdering his girlfriend, swimsuit designer Sylvie Cachay, in New York's posh Soho House club and hotel. His trial is pending.

Debbie Boone Performs 'You Light Up My Life'

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