Actor and boxer Cedric "Beastie" Jones, known for appearing with Chris Pratt in The Terminal List and in the movie Emancipation, died unexpectedly earlier this month at age 46.  

While it seems that the cause of Jones' death is known, it is being withheld from the press for his family's sake.

Jones was married to Barbie Jones and the couple had three children. His family is "in shock," according to the Daily Mail.

Chris Pratt and Jones were good friends, and Jones wrote of Pratt that "he always showed his faith" and prayed for Jones's family on the set after an accident.

"Always the light in the room"

Emancipation Director Antoine Fuqua posted on Instagram, “R.I.P to my good brother and friend. You were always the light in the room and on the set.” “You will be deeply missed and forever loved. MAY THE WIND ALWAYS BE UNDER YOUR WINGS CHAMP as you ascend into the Heavens. Dream team forever.”

Fuqua's post included a screen recording of Jones praying.

Jones owned the Beastie Boxing Gym. The origin of the nickname "Beastie" was said to represent "God in me," according to Jones' prayer. He also prayed for his family and thanked God for them.

A memorial run is planned on October 28 to honor Jones' memory and benefit his family after his death.

A GoFundMe has also been set up to help his family.

A rise in sudden deaths?

There seems to have been a rise in the number of people dying suddenly, starting with the COVID-19 pandemic, and some have speculated that it is linked to vaccinations given to try to prevent COVID infection.

Most medical experts and media sources have downplayed this seeming occurrence, however.

It's not surprising that they would want to do so, but it makes it harder to tell what's really going on. Besides COVID-19, other possible causes of the higher number of deaths include opioid overdoses, suicides, and a less healthy lifestyle that leads to higher rates of disease.

Without knowing Jones's cause of death, it's difficult to know how it fits into this possible pattern of sudden deaths at younger ages.

His role as a boxer and personal trainer suggests that fitness did not play a role.