The son of 80s pop legend Paul Hardcastle has been killed in a motorcycle crash following a police pursuit.
Essex Police confirmed on Tuesday that a motorcyclist in his 30s had died following a crash on the A414, near Bobbingworth, just after 6.30pm on Monday.
The force said the rider was being pursued following reports that it had failed to stop for officers earlier in the day.
The motorbike rider died while the driver of a van which also crashed in the incident was arrested and subsequently released.
Essex Police would not confirm that the rider was Paul Jr, but said there were no other fatal motorbike crashes in the area on Monday.
On Monday night, jazz musician and 80s music legend Paul Hardcastle paid tribute to his son on Facebook, writing: 'Just to let you know that my super talented son Paul Hardcastle Jnr was in a fatal motorcycle accident earlier and has sadly died.
'RIP son love Dad.'
The 68-year-old songwriter and radio presenter, best known for his song '19' which went to number one on the UK Singles chart in 1985, had three children with his wife Dolores Baker.
Paul Hardcastle Jnr, 35, was a professional saxophone player whose musical career in the footsteps of his father began when he was aged just 16.
He secured a residency at an Ibiza nightclub just two years later, and his debut single Touch and Go - released in 2010 and produced by his father - went on to reach number one on the Billboard Jazz songs chart in the US.
Fans paid tribute to the 80s pop legend, with one writing on Facebook: 'Keep his memory close to your heart.
'I am so dearly sorry for your loss. My son is a biker and it terrifies me when he's out.
'My dad became disabled in a bike accident. But I know they love what they do. Be gentle with yourselves.
'Losing your child is the worst thing in the world. My heart goes out to you.'
Another user commented: 'Your son was so kind to my teenage son after he'd had a mental health episode.
'I will never forget his kindness at a time it was needed. May he rest peacefully.
'I am so sorry for your deep loss.'
Paul Jnr was a musician who followed in the footsteps of his father, securing a residency at an Ibiza nightclub aged 18
A spokesperson for the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) said: 'We have begun an independent investigation into the actions of Essex Police prior to a fatal collision on the A414 near Bobbingworth, Essex, involving a motorbike that reportedly failed to stop for police.
'We were notified that, at around 6.35pm on Monday, Essex Police officers attempted to stop a motorcyclist and a pursuit was then authorised after the motorcyclist failed to stop.
'Shortly after, the motorcyclist was involved in a fatal collision with a van.
'Paramedics were called and sadly the rider of the motorbike was pronounced dead at the scene. Our thoughts are with all those affected by the incident.
'IOPC investigators have begun the process of gathering and reviewing evidence as we work to determine the circumstances leading up to the collision.
'We were notified by Essex Police shortly before 10pm and declared an independent investigation at 1am, January 13.'
Essex Police said: 'A man has died following a collision on the A414 near Bobbingworth.
'It was reported that a motorbike and a van were involved in a collision at around 6.38pm on Monday, January 12.
'Sadly, the motorbike rider - a man aged in his 30s - died at the scene.
'The driver of the van was arrested in connection with the incident and has since been released under investigation.
'At the time of the collision, the motorbike was being pursued by an Essex Police vehicle following a report that it had failed to stop for officers in Ongar High Street a short time earlier.
'The incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is a mandatory step in circumstances such as this.
'The IOPC has confirmed that it will carry out an independent investigation.'