Sad indeed. An unexpected accident in California; James Horner died in a plane crash. He was alone in a small private aircraft; and was a trained pilot. He was 61.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33235271
What is perhaps rather eerie is that in his last interview in April, when asked about his continued involvement with the franchise he said "If I last that long".[1]
A great shame in any case; he will be missed by many.