Rose McGowan's former manager, embroiled in Weinstein scandal, commits suicide

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FOX 11) - Jill Messick, a longtime studio executive, producer and manager, reportedly has committed suicide at age 50. She was a former manager of Rose McGowan, who recently found herself in the middle of a very public battle with disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein.

Messick's family confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter along with a lengthy statement. They noted that Messick took her own life on Feb. 8 amid a longtime battle with depression and bipolar disorder.

She had worked as McGowan's manager in 1997 during the time the actress claimed Weinstein raped her. Recently, Weinstein's lawyer, Ben Brafman, released to the public an email Messick sent him, allegedly without her permission. In the email she recalled her account of the events, which Weinstein's lawyer used as a defense to the public.

Messick's family noted that she sent the email upon request prior to The New York Times expose that led to dozens of women coming forward with similar stories of sexual misconduct involving Weinstein.