Celebrity Celebrity Deaths Celebrity Death News Paul Mitchell's Son Angus Mitchell Dies Suddenly at 53: 'He Had a Huge Heart' The John Paul Mitchell Systems co-owner and hairdresser died in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Wednesday, TMZ was first to report By Charna Flam Charna Flam Charna Flam is a writer-reporter at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2023. Her work has previously appeared on Variety, The New York Post, and The Wrap. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 4, 2024 07:43PM EST Angus Mitchell on October 28, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo: Stefanie Keenan/Getty Angus Mitchell, the only child of hairstylist Paul Mitchell, has died. He was 53. John Paul DeJoria, co-Founder and chairman of John Paul Mitchell Systems, confirmed Angus' sudden death in emotional social media tribute. "It is with tremendous sadness that we mourn the sudden passing of Angus Mitchell. As a hairdresser and co-owner of JPMS, Angus had a deep love of family, community, and the beauty industry," DeJoria shares in the heartfelt statement. "Angus was the son of late co-founder Paul Mitchell and was a beloved colleague and important part of our JPMS family. Angus had a huge heart that impacted countless people who crossed his path. We are grateful for the time we got with him, though it ended far too soon. During this shocking and difficult time, we kindly request privacy as we navigate this profound loss.” Angus reportedly died Wednesday in an apparent drowning in a pool at his Honolulu home, law enforcement sources told TMZ. The outlet was first to report the news. An official cause of death was not given. On Tuesday evening, Angus shared Instagram Stories with friends at his home, where the group were seen enjoying a night filled with Hawaiian music. Angus Mitchell on Jan. 2, 2024 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Angus Mitchell/ Instagram Angus followed in his late father’s footsteps and served as a co-owner of John Paul Mitchell Systems. Paul Mitchell died from pancreatic cancer in 1989. Following Paul’s death, Angus inherited his father’s stake in John Paul Mitchell Systems (JPMS) and the schools. Angus also served as a model and spokesperson for the JPMS men's focused line MITCH. In addition to having co-ownership in JPMS, Angus, like his father, worked as a hairstylist and opened a hair salon. In 2010, he opened the Angus Mitchell Salon in Beverly Hills. Angus and Paul Mitchell. Angus Mitchell/ Instagram Angus shared in a 2012 interview for the Paul Mitchell school, that he received his formal training at Vidal Sassoon in Los Angeles, but he “learned so much just by observing [his] father.” In a January 2023 interview with Forbes, he said that following in his father's footsteps was "probably one of the more difficult paths I could have chosen for myself.” “I always knew I wanted to honor my father and better understand the industry and family business. But having the last name Mitchell made things harder for me. In beauty school, my work was scrutinized and my confidence shaken," Angus continued. "Respect and opportunity are earned; they are not an entitlement, regardless of birthright," he added. "I was always aware I was under a microscope and I wanted the approval of my peers." Angus and Paul Mitchell. Angus Mitchell/ Instagram Throughout his career, Angus was awarded Be magazine’s No. 1 Platform Artist and was invited three times to be a part of the Alternative Hair Show, which raises money for leukemia research. The city of Beverly Hills also honored him with his own day on July 10, 2011, in recognition of his philanthropic contributions. He was active with the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii and donated land back to the Hawaii islands to create nature preserves. He also donated to several Hawaii organizations, including Child and Family Service, Palama Settlement and the Marine Reconnaissance Foundation, per Forbes. Angus Mitchell on March 7, 2020 in Los Angeles, CA. MediaPunch/Shutterstock Paying Tribute to the Celebrities Who Died in 2023 Angus first married Michelle Raab in 2010. The two later divorced and he remarried twice more. He then married Sian Mitchell, with whom he had a child, Dylan, 8. The two divorced soon after the birth of their son. In 2021, Angus married Mara Mitchell. On Nov. 27, 2023, he shared a celebratory Instagram post in honor of the couple’s second wedding anniversary. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Angus was born on Oct. 16, 1970, in New York. He spent his childhood between Hawaii and Los Angeles. He is survived by his wife Mara and son, Dylan. Close