Sources claim Lee Thompson Young was depressed — blame his involvement with African religion

While virtually everyone who knew Lee Thompson Young had no inkling he was dealing with any emotional or psychological problems, reports surfaced Tuesday indicating the “Rizzoli & Isles” star was suffering from depression. Young committed suicide early Monday in his Los Angeles-area home.

Sources close to the late actor told E! News things had “really changed” within the last few years, after he began practicing Yoruba, an African-based religion which has been accused of accepting suicide as an acceptable way to preserve personal or family honor, in the face of public shame.

That said, top leaders of the religious group deny that — insisting that their faith believes a suicide will be punished in the hereafter.

Shortly before his death, Young had visited a small African village for something said to be related to Yoruba.