PSPD investigating Jim Casey’s death as a suicide

CEO and founder of Palm Springs and Newport Beach-based financial planning firm Integrated Wealth Management, James “Jim” Casey, passed away Monday morning, according to his business partners.

Casey, 52, was also a noted philanthropist who served on the Board of Directors of Desert AIDS Project, and the Palm Springs International Film Festival. He donated and pledged millions of dollars to DAP through IWM and personally.

Casey and his producing partner Kim Waltrip founded “Kim and Jim Productions,” which produced a number of films, including The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby, starring Jessica Chastain. Waltrip confirmed Casey’s death to CBS Local 2 and KESQ.

An email was also circulated among IWM employees on Monday, and Erik Mora, Chief Marketing Officer released this statement late Monday evening.

“Today all of us at Integrated Wealth Management are deeply saddened to learn that our founder, Jim Casey, has passed away. Jim’s dedication to Integrated Wealth Management, as well as his passion to his generous philanthropic efforts, made an impact in many communities, specifically in the Coachella Valley. For all of us at Integrated Wealth Management who have been fortunate to work with Jim, we have lost a dear friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jim’s family.”

In December 2011 Casey received the 339th star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars.

A biography online states Casey held bachelors’ degrees in business and psychology from the State University of New York at Binghamton.

Palm Springs police confirmed on May 9th that they are on investigating Casey’s death as a suicide.

Stay with CBS Local 2 and KESQ for more information as it becomes available.