Tom Petty news: Music icon's cause of death; rock icon's net worth

Musician Tom Petty speaks to guests after being inducted during the 47th Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction ceremony in New York, U.S. on June 9, 2016.REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

American rock star and music icon, Tom Petty, has tragically passed away. The 66-year-old had made significant contributions to the music industry, and reports of his cause of death have been steadily coming in.

According to The New York Times, Petty passed away Monday, Oct. 2, due to cardiac arrest. He was found unconscious and immobile in his home in Los Angeles. He was then sent to a nearby hospital, at UCLA Santa Monica, and was put on life support. After some confusion that had occurred between the press and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Petty's family eventually delivered the heartbreaking news, confirming his death.

In a report by Earn the Necklace, Petty's daughter took to social media, addressing those who had falsely claimed that Petty survived the ordeal. This was due to a statement released by the LAPD, stating that they could not confirm Petty's condition themselves. This statement, however, might have just sparked some hope for fans, since some of them were probably not ready to accept the fact that Petty had died.

At the time of Petty's death, it is estimated that the rock star is worth at least an estimated $95 million dollars after having sold roughly around 80 million copies of his albums worldwide. He had been part of the top 25 highest paid musicians by Forbes, with an estimated annual income of $38 million dollars per year back in 2011. Petty is survived by his wife, Dana York, to whom he was married to for 16 years, and his two daughters.

Petty had definitely a lasting impression on the world, as The San Diego Tribune reports. He was able to perform alongside other legendary acts such as Prince, Bruce Springsteen, George Harrison, and his son Dhani, Eric Clapton, and many more. Petty was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.