Rapper Chino XL Died by Suicide, His Family Confirms in Statement: 'Our Rock and Our Best Friend'

The New York rapper was found unresponsive at his home on July 28 at age 50

The family of rapper Chino XL has confirmed that he died by suicide.

“It’s been the most painful and personal experience of our lives but in honor of Suicide Awareness Month, we decided to share this truth," his family said in a statement to PEOPLE about the death of the New York rapper — born Derek Keith Barbosa — who was found unresponsive at his home on July 28 at age 50.

The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s office lists his official cause of death as asphyxia as a result of ligature hanging, the statement added.

It also stated that Chino had been diagnosed with congenital heart failure in 2020 and stage 4 prostate cancer earlier this year. He struggled with life-long depression, continued the statement.

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“Our father was our rock and our best friend," his daughters said in the release. "Papa Bear loved us and taught us so much."

"Hundreds of emails, texts, chats and beautiful posts and comments on social media, have shown us that Dad was a fountain of strength to so many," they continued. "He encouraged and comforted pretty much everyone in his path and left this dimension with an untouchable creative legacy. We are grateful beyond words for our time with Dad and are overwhelmed by the immeasurable global outpouring of love from around the world."

The statement also addressed false reports that the family was planning to release Chino's album in October by clarifying that there's currently no exact official date. They also added that an unnamed individual leaked the album online by telling people he was working on behalf of the family.

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"An unscrupulous individual illegally leaked Dad’s new album, online," the family added in the statement. "To add to this excruciating time, this man’s contemptuous actions, have hurt what was originally Dad’s intended December album release, where a considerable portion of the proceeds were to be donated to charitable organizations.”

The family has retained litigation counsel and initiated legal action against this individual, per the statement.

Back in July, PEOPLE reported that the late artist’s family confirmed his death on social media by stating that they were “devastated to relay the news."

The family wrote that Chino had died in his home on the morning of Sunday, July 28.

“Our father had many titles — King of Punchlines, Puerto Rican Superhero — but the most important one was Girl Dad,”  his daughters wrote in a joint tribute. “And what he gave us most in that role was his strength, straightforwardness, and ability to be super realistic.”

“The main thing we are feeling now is that our Dad is at peace, and so we are at peace," they added.

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Chino is survived by his children: Chynna, Bella, Lyric and Kiyana; his stepson Shawn; grandchildren Emmy, Emery, Chris, Luis and Dyani; his mother, Carole; and his former longtime partner Stephanie.

“The family asks for privacy.  A private memorial service will be arranged,” the family wrote on Instagram on Aug.13.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

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