Robert Yancy | Drummer, Cole's son, 39

Robert Yancy, 39, the only child of singer Natalie Cole and grandson of crooner Nat King Cole, was found dead Monday night at his home in Los Angeles after authorities were contacted to make a welfare check.

The Los Angeles County coroner's office said Tuesday his death was reported as due to natural causes but the official cause must await an autopsy.

Mr. Yancy's aunt, Timolin Cole Augustus, told the Associated Press, "It appears to be a sudden heart attack."

Natalie Cole was 65 when she died Dec. 31, 2015, of pulmonary arterial hypertension, which led to heart failure.

Mr. Yancy was a drummer who played in his mother's touring band and performed at her funeral in January 2016.

Mr. Yancy's father, Marvin, died of a heart attack at age 34 in 1985 when his son was 7.

Mr. Yancy, who went by Robbie, shared a strong Baptist faith with his mother. "What a woman," he told mourners at her funeral. "She taught me how to love. She had my back every time when I needed it. The greatest gift she ever gave me was Jesus. I cannot wait until that day that I see you again."

Mr. Yancy is survived by two aunts and five cousins. - AP