Frank Ocean's Younger Brother Killed In Crash: Reports

NORTHRIDGE, CA — The younger brother of Grammy Award-winning R&B artist Frank Ocean and a Cal State Northridge athlete and were reportedly killed Sunday in a fiery crash in Westlake Village.

Ezekial (Zeek) Bishop, 20, and Ocean's 18-year-old younger brother Ryan Breaux, died at the scene early Sunday when the Tesla they were riding in veered off Westlake Boulevard and struck a tree. Officers arrived just after 1:30 a.m. to find the car engulfed in flames. The pair had been classmates at Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village, according to the Thousand Oaks Acorn, and their sudden deaths stunned the community.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Ocean’s 2011 song “Orion,” from his “Lonny Breaux” mixtape, is believed to be about his younger brother. with the lyrics, “I remember when you were born/Ohhh, how happy I was/Cause if it didn’t go as I planned it/At least you’d double my chances.”

The death of the recent high school graduate shocked his friends, many of whom shared their memories and grief on social media.

"To my brother, who was talented beyond belief, possessed a heart of gold, had an energy that was infectious, a smile & laugh that lifted everyone’s spirit, and was a loyal and authentic friend to anyone he knew," Paris Brosnan, son of actor Pierce Brosnan wrote on Instagram. "You were just getting started and ready to show the world who you were."

"Our hearts and prayers are with Frank and his family. RIP @rryanbreaux," someone tweeted on the Frank Ocean's fan page.

Cal State Northridge's athletic department Monday mourned the death of Bishop who had enrolled at Cal State Northridge for the spring 2020 semester. He competed in three events during the 2020 indoor season for the Matadors, finishing 10th in the long jump with a leap of 21 feet, 8 1/4 inches and 16th in the 400 meters in 51.71 seconds in the NAU Tune Up Feb. 21 in Flagstaff, Arizona, and 24th in the long jump with a leap of 18-4 1/4 at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships Feb. 28 in Seattle.

"We will all mourn the loss of Zeek," said CSUN track and field coach Justin Johnson. "Personally, I am grateful for the opportunity I had to know him, and professionally I will miss him dearly, as he was an honor to coach.

"Zeek had an incredibly bright personality and everyone loved him. He was a dedicated teammate, friend and a leader whose smile and laugh we will miss. I am still shocked and broken-hearted for his family, our team and his friends and want them all to know that Zeek was a great athlete, but more importantly a great young man, and he will always be a Matador."

The university offered counseling to CSUN students, faculty and staff through University Counseling Services.

A crash investigation remained underway Monday.

The crash occurred at 1:33 a.m. Sunday on Westlake Boulevard just north of Skelton Canyon Circle, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.

Arriving deputies saw the vehicle engulfed in flames, Deputy Wendell Campbell said.

" The initial investigation revealed the vehicle was traveling south on Westlake Boulevard approaching Skelton Canyon Circle. The vehicle appeared to leave the roadway and collide with a tree in the center median," Campbell said. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.

The vehicle was identified as a Tesla and Campbell did not indicate which man was driving.

City News Service contributed to this report.