"Soul Train" creator Don Cornelius' son has suggested ill health and a messy divorce triggered his father's apparent suicide.

The beloved TV personality was found dead at his home in Sherman Oaks, California last week after reportedly shooting himself.

His death comes after a messy divorce from wife Victoria in 2009, during which he was battling severe health issues. A judge granted him a quickie divorce after he wrote in court papers, "I am 72 years old. I have significant health issues. I want to finalize this divorce before I die."

Now his son Tony has opened up about the problems the star faced before his passing, suggesting these could have prompted him to take his own life.

Tony Cornelius tells The Hollywood Reporter, "He was not feeling well so it's really hard to say why my dad decided he had had enough. It's just one of those things. You just never know what someone is thinking. I can tell you due to health, things like divorce and relationships, there's all kinds of things that may trigger a reaction like that. But as his son, as one who was really close, I can't tell you (why)."

Tony is adamant his father did not seem depressed in the days leading up to his death, adding, "There were no signs of anything like that. Many people can tell you they spoke to him, they talked to him, he was smiling when they saw him."