The passing of Christopher "Big Black" Boykins of the Rob & Big show has certainly saddened his fans, friends and family. Now comes word that Big Black was hospitalized days before his death, as the entertainer was in need of a new heart.

Boykins' ex-wife, Shannon Turley, revealed to TMZ that he had been struggling with heart issues and already had a defibrillator implanted in his chest. During his hospitalization in Plano, Texas, doctors were monitoring his heart.

Unfortunately, Big Black had a heart attack on Tuesday (May 9) while in the hospital and doctors tried to resuscitate him for 30 minutes to no avail. He passed away at 4 p.m. Big Black wasn't on the heart transplant list but he was going in that direction.

Big Black leaves behind his ex-wife, Shannon, and their nine-year-old daughter, Isis. Although the couple divorced in 2009, Big Black was living with her due to his deteriorating health.

We want to send our condolences to Boykins' family and friends, as well as to Rob Dyrdek. May he rest in peace.

More From K945, The Hit Music Channel