Oscar-Winning Director Of “Searching For Sugar Man” Dies Aged 36

The brother of Malik Bendjelloul told a Swedish newspaper that Bendjelloul's death was a suicide.

UPDATED – 7:39 a.m., ET.

Malik Bendjelloul, the Swedish director who won an Oscar for his documentary Searching for Sugar Man, has died at age 36.

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His body was reportedly found in the Stockholm area on Tuesday.

Bendjelloul's brother has reportedly told a Swedish newspaper that his death was suicide.

Johar Bendjelloul told Aftonbladet that the director had struggled with depression.

Local police have yet to confirm the cause of death, but said no crime was suspected.

Bendjelloul won the Oscar for Best Documentary in 2013 for his film about American singer Sixto Rodriguez.

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The film followed two South African journalists’ search for Rodriguez, who had no idea he was a hugely popular artist in the country and never achieved fame in the U.S.

Searching for Sugar Man tracked down the singer to a building site in Detroit and showed him triumphantly travelling to South Africa to perform a series of gigs.

Commenting on Bendjelloul’s death, Sony Pictures Classics, the distributor of the film, said: "We are so sad to hear of Malik Bendjelloul's passing."

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"Much like Rodriguez himself Malik was a genuine person who chased the world for stories to tell.

"He didn't chase fame, fortune or awards, although those accolades still found him as many others recognised his storytelling."

As well as Sugar Man, Bendjelloul directed TV documentaries about Rod Stewart, Elton John, and Kraftwerk.