Heavy D Dead at 44

Heavy D had just returned from shopping and walked up some stairs when he began having trouble breathing. Adam Mills, a designer who was in the building and knew Heavy D, found him leaning against a railing and clearly in distress. Adam tells us he cradled Heavy D in his lap as others called 911. Adam says Heavy D was conscious and said to him, "I can't breathe, I can't breathe." When paramedics took Heavy D to the hospital he had a pulse. People in the building are saying he died of a heart attack, but we have not been able to confirm that. Law enforcement sources tell us ... no foul play was involved and so far they only know the cause of death was "medical."
Rap legend Heavy D -- one of the most influential rappers of the '90s -- died earlier today ... TMZ has learned.
Heavy D -- real name Dwight Arrington Myers -- was rushed to an L.A. hospital around noon today ... and was pronounced dead at the hospital at 1 PM. He was 44 years old.
We've learned a 911 call was placed from Heavy's Beverly Hills home around 11:25 AM to report an unconscious male on the walkway .
When help arrived, we're told Heavy D was conscious and speaking -- and was transported to a nearby hospital.
He died a short time later.
Cops are investigating the death -- and so far, there are no obvious signs of foul play. Police are currently at the home.

His home
Officials recorded Heavy's height and weight as part of their investigation into his sudden and unexpected passing. We're told the rapper measured in at 6'4".
Heavy famously lost 135 pounds back in 2003 -- but insisted the decision to drop the weight was in an effort to get acting roles ... and wasn't health related.
An autopsy is scheduled to begin this morning.
www.tmz.com