GOLDEN KRUST CARIBBEAN BAKERY AND GRILL FOUNDER, CEO FOUND DEAD IN BRONX FACTORY
The founder and CEO of Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill who once appeared on “Undercover Boss” killed himself inside his Bronx factory Saturday, police sources said.
Lowell Hawthorne, 57, shot himself inside the Park Ave. building near E. 173rd St. in Claremont about 5:30 p.m., sources said.
More than a dozen current and former employees stood in disbelief outside the factory hours later. Some had tears rolling down their cheeks.
“He was a good boss, humble and a good businessman,” said Pete Tee, 27, a former employee. “He never seemed sad. This is just terrible news right now.”
Hawthorne opened the first Golden Krust store on E. Gun Hill Rd. in 1989.
The Jamaica-born owner went on to build the beef-patty purveyor into a national empire with more than 120 restaurants in nine states.
In May of last year, Hawthorne starred in an episode of CBS’ “Undercover Boss,” and discovered some of his chefs “aren't on the same cookbook page,” according to the CBS website.
According to reports from the NY Daily New and the Jamaica Gleamer – Lowell reportedly “shot himself in the head twice.”
And if you think the idea of a man shooting himself “in the head twice” sounds unbelievable – you’re not alone.
TWO people close with Lowell who believe that he may have been MURDERED.“He was a successful businessman, it makes no sense. How can the police say suicide so quickly, did they do any investigation.”
“It doesn’t make any sense. He had everything to live for,” said Russo, who is the president of Chef’s Choice food company. “He was a brilliant business guy. The perfect American success story.”
Hawthorne’s death sent shockwaves from the streets of the Bronx to government offices in Jamaica, where Prime Minister Andrew Holness fired off a tweet offering his condolences.
And folks on social media seem to agree. Here are some concerns from fans of Lowell and his business:
Michael Simpson: “Somebody please tell me that this is fake news. Because if it is true I can tell you that it is a murder case.”
Dennis Latham: ” don’t believe he committed suicide – I believe he was murdered…. unless people actually SAW HIM DO IT ? I AM sticking with murder…… especially if the murderer has connections with the police…”
Donna Jarret-Paris: Hmmm sounds like murder coverup
Some of Hawthorne’s employees said they suspected something was amiss when they spotted his car, a silver Tesla 85D (below), parked oddly outside the factory. The luxury ride was left in the road blocking a lane of traffic.
Longtime employee Everald Woods said he loved working under Hawthorne.
“He was a nice boss, a wonderful guy,” said Woods, an employee since 2003. “He’s the kind of guy you want to work for for that long. He takes care of his employees.”
We’re reaching out to local police, to ensure that they’ve done a THOROUGH JOB ruling out any foul play.
Lowell started his company gwith one tiny store in the Bronx in 1989, and grew it to over 17 in the NYC area and 120 nationwide. Golden Krust was the first Caribbean owned business in the US to be granted a franchise license.
Family friend Wayne Muschamb said Hawthorne was an inspiration to his countrymen in Jamaica. “Look how far he reached. He’s known from here to Jamaica,” Muschamb said. “I’m kind of lost for words, man. This has got me shocked.”
Hawthorne’s rags-to-riches story was set in motion in 1981 when he followed several relatives to the U.S. from Jamaica in search of opportunity.
He briefly worked as an accountant for the NYPD before deciding to build a business inspired by his father’s bakery back home.
Golden Krust became the first Caribbean-owned business in the U.S. to be granted a franchise license, according to its website. The company produces more than 50 million patties a year that are sold in retail stores.
In 2012, he published a memoir, “The Baker’s Son.”
“It’s a very humbling experience to know that the concept that began in Jamaica with our parents was able to come here,” Hawthorne told the Daily News at the time.
It also has a large distribution – their products are carried at more than 20,000 stores worldwide.
THIS IS SO SAD. MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY. RIP
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