Don Cornelius was in an extreme amount of pain in the days before his death ... and minutes before he shot himself, Don phoned his son and told him, "I don't know how long I can take this" ... this according to the autopsy report obtained by TMZ.

According to the report, the "Soul Train" legend had been experiencing seizures as a result of an aneurysm he suffered 15 years ago.

But Don's health took a dramatic turn for the worse in the last 6 months of his life ... and he became "very depressed about his failing health."

Don called his son at 3:00 AM on February 1 ... and warned his son, "I don't know how long I can take this." Don's son told him he'd rush right over ... and Don said he'd leave the back door open.

When Don's son arrived to Cornelius' Los Angeles home, he detected an odor of smoke and saw Don seated in a chair with a pistol in his right hand.

Don's son called 911 ... and paramedics treated the 75-year-old for a bullet wound to his right temple.

He was transported to a nearby hospital ... where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Don's son told cops he had no idea his father even owned a gun.

The LAPD captain who ran the crime scene on the day Don Cornelius killed himself was no stranger to the legendary TV host ... because in her younger days, she appeared on "Soul Train" ... TMZ has learned. 

Captain Tia Monett Morris joined the Los Angeles Police Department back in 1981. But before she was solving crimes, Capt. Morris appeared on "Soul Train" as a dancer back when she was a teenager. 

We called Capt. Morris for details about her time on the show -- but she was tightlipped, only confirming she had indeed appeared on the show. 

10-4, captain. 

Don Cornelius isn't getting the credit he deserves for "creating" the biggest music stars of the 70s -- at least according to Cuba Gooding Senior ... who got his big break on "Soul Train."

Long before CG Jr. was shouting, "Show me the money" -- Gooding Sr. and his group, the Main Ingredient, were singing "Everybody Plays the Fool" on "Soul Train" in '73 (below).

Gooding tells us groups like The Temptations, The Stylistics, and Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes can also thank Cornelius for giving them major TV exposure. By the way, Cuba still has serious pipes (check the clip) ... and says, "What Don Cornelius decided to do was put us all on television. Regional at first, then local. Then the entire planet!"

Cornelius was found dead in his home on February 1 of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Don Cornelius' son claims the late "Soul Train" creator phoned him just hours before he shot himself in the head -- describing the last-minute outreach as a "call of urgency."

Don's son Tony Cornelius wouldn't specify what the call was about -- telling Gayle King on "CBS This Morning," his dad's health was failing and he was "unhappy about some things" in his life.

Tony told Gayle, "You have to be in a person's shoes really to understand. Obviously, me being extremely close to him, I could tell that he was uncomfortable."

Tony added, "But our family could never know that he would -- how uncomfortable he really was."

Talk show host Tavis Smiley believes "Soul Train" creator Don Cornelius was responsible for saving black culture in the 70s and 80s -- telling TMZ, the late producer was "our cultural ambassador" in that era.

Tavis tells us, "Don Cornelius was our cultural ambassador when black music, when black dance, when black fashion were under-appreciated in this country."

Tavis adds, "I think that Don Cornelius' real contributions were never really appreciated ... Sometimes, it takes something tragic like this to really appreciate the contributions one has made ... I hate to see it happen like this ... He will be missed."

If you don't recognize the other guy in the clip -- shame on you -- it's famed activist and philosopher Dr. Cornel West ... who adds, "I just pray for his family. I love Brother Don Cornelius."

Don Cornelius died with 2 life insurance policies worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the ex-wife he hated will get all the money ... TMZ has learned.

Don's breakup with Viktoria Chapman Cornelius was brutal. He was convicted of domestic abuse and, according to him, she pepper sprayed him multiple times.

During the divorce in 2009, Don said in legal docs obtained by TMZ, 'I am 72 years old. I have significant health issues. I want to finalize this divorce before I die."

The divorce was indeed finalized later that year, but there's a provision in the settlement agreement that says Don must make Viktoria the beneficiary of both of his life insurance policies -- totaling around $300,000 in benefits.

Under California law, if a policyholder commits suicide within 2 years of the time the policy is issued, the company can deny payment. But Don had the policy for more than 2 years, so Viktoria -- the woman he despised -- will get the loot.

Don Cornelius did not leave a suicide note at the home where he shot himself ... this according to multiple law enforcement sources.

We have been told by numerous people today that Don's health problems plagued him for years ... and the pain had become unbearable.

As we first reported, Don was discovered early this morning at his Sherman Oaks, CA home with a gunshot wound to his head. 

The picture shows the ambulance that took Don to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead early this morning.

We now know who made the call to 911 after Don Cornelius shot himself in the head early this morning -- it was his own son.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... one of Don's two sons made the call around 4:00 AM ... and paramedics were immediately dispatched to Don's Sherman Oaks home in an effort to save his life.

Don was transported to a nearby hospital -- where he was later pronounced dead.

Cornelius was 75 years old.

Former Soul Train host Shemar Moore said his “heart is heavy” after hearing about the suicide of Don Cornelius -- and says it was impossible to fill his shoes on the iconic show.

Moore, who hosted Soul Train from 1999 to 2003, released a statement saying, Cornelius was “one of a kind”  ... and "showed generation after generation over 40 years how to keep it funky and get your groove on every Saturday morning on ‘The Hippest Trip In America’”.

Moore added he was honored that Don gave him the opportunity to host Soul Train for 5 years, but insists, "I didn't dare try to fill his shoes because it just couldn't be done! Don was The Man!!"

Don Cornelius -- who famously created "Soul Train" was found dead in his Sherman Oaks, CA home this morning ... and law enforcement sources tell us it appears he committed suicide.

We're told cops discovered the body at around 4 AM PT. Law enforcement sources tell us ... Cornelius died from a gunshot wound to the head and officials believe the wound was self-inflicted.

We're told Cornelius was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

"Soul Train" changed the landscape of television when it debuted in 1971 and ran until 2006.



Officials have notified Don's family.

Cornelius was 75.

During Don's bitter divorce proceedings in 2009, he told an L.A. judge he was suffering from "significant health issues" and wanted to "finalize this divorce before I die."

Cornelius was arrested in 2008 for beating up his wife. He pled no contest to misdemeanor domestic violence and was placed on 3 years probation. His probation just terminated.

The divorce was granted in 2010.

Sources close to Don tell us ... the TV icon was plagued with health issues for years ... including a stroke and a condition that required brain surgery.


8:10 AM PST -- Shawn Holley -- Don's lawyer and good friend -- tells TMZ, "This is devastating news. Don was a kind, funny and brilliant man. Even though his many health battles had left him frail, he remained vibrant, courtly and always sharp as a tack."

From 1971- 1993, Don Cornelius was the host (and creator) of the nationally syndicated dance show "Soul Train." Guess what he looks like now!