In turns out that Big Black's (real name: Christopher Boykin) heart was in terrible condition for days before his death. It was so bad that doctors thought he'd eventually need a heart transplant.
His ex-wife, Shannon Turley, revealed that he was in the hospital for days, while doctors monitored his heart. He'd been struggling with heart issues, and already had a defibrillator implanted in his chest.
She said doctors tried to resuscitate Chris for 30 mins when his heart gave out on Tuesday. He passed away at 4 PM.
Shannon and Chris have a 9-year-old daughter, Isis. Although they divorced in 2009, she says Chris had been living with her in Texas due to his declining health.
As TMZ reported, Boykin's death shook his "Rob & Big" co-star and friend Rob Dyrdek, ... who wrote, "My heart is broken. I don't want to believe that this is reality. I am so thankful for you."