Bernard Madoff's son found dead

Mark Madoff, 46 years old, was found hanged in his apartment at 158 Mercer St., in Manhattan's SoHo section by his father-in-law, according to the official. A family member notified police around 7:30 a.m.

It isn't known whether he left a suicide note.

Mark Madoff and his brother, Andrew, were under investigation but hadn't faced any criminal charges in the massive Ponzi scheme that led to their father's jailing. Bernard Madoff swindled a long list of investors out of billions of dollars and is serving a 150-year prison term in North Carolina.

The scandal put a harsh light on members of Madoff's family. The financier's brother, Peter, played a prominent role in the family's company. Mark and Andrew Madoff both worked on a trading desk at the firm, on a side of the business that wasn't directly involved in the Ponzi scheme.

A year ago, the court-appointed trustee trying to unravel Mr. Madoff's financial affairs sued several members of the family, including the brothers, accusing them of failing to detect the fraud while living lavish lifestyles financed with the family's ill-gotten fortune.

The lawsuit accused Mark Madoff of using $66 million he received improperly to buy luxury homes in New York City, Nantucket and Connecticut. In February, Mark Madoff's wife petitioned a court to change her last name, saying her family had gotten threats and was humiliated by the scandal.

Mark Madoff had one child with his current wife, Stephanie Morgan, and two with his former wife, Susan Elkin of Connecticut, according to a civil lawsuit filed this week seeking to recover money from him and his relatives.

Calls to Mark Madoff's attorney and his father's attorney weren't immediately returned Saturday. Calls to the FBI and U.S. Attorney's office also weren't immediately returned.

When reached at her home Saturday morning, Elkin, Mark Madoff's ex- wife, declined to discuss what happened.