Casey Kasem dies

US radio legend Casey Kasem died in California yesterday. He was 82.

His children, including local DJ Mike Kasem, announced the news on social media.

"Early this Father's Day morning, our dad Casey Kasem passed away surrounded by family and friends," said a post on the Facebook page of Mike's sister Kerri Kasem.

"Even though we know he is in a better place and no longer suffering, we are heartbroken. Thank you for all your love, support and prayers. The world will miss Casey Kasem, an incredible talent and humanitarian. We will miss our Dad."

It was signed off in the names of Kerri, Mike and Julie.

There was no mention of their stepmother, Casey's wife Jean.

The children had been locked in a battle with her over access to the former star of American Top 40.

Casey had reportedly suffered from Lewy Body Disease, a form of progressive dementia, for several years.

The sometimes bizarre public battle began last October when daughters Julie and Kerri led a protest outside of Casey's Los Angeles mansion, holding signs demanding that Jean, his wife of 33 years, let them see their ailing father, CNN reported.

Meanwhile, celebrities took to Twitter to mourn his passing:

Source: Facebook, Twitter