Jolene Thurton was the owner of Pepper’s Jamaican Food, who recently passed away, leaving her friends and family in deep shock, find out more below
Thurton was known for her warm personality and community spirit, and she has seemingly left an unforgettable mark on everyone who knew her.
Who is Jolene Thurton, Pepper’s Jamaican Food owner who passed away: Cause of death, bio, age, husband and son
Rest in peace to Jolene Thurton, the owner of Pepper’s Jamaican Food on Slauson and Van Ness in Los Angeles. According to neighbors there was a fight and she was stabbed 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/MFd77bOePz
— Los Angeles Journalist 📸 (@slausongirlnews) July 21, 2025
The family of Jolene Thurton, the owner of Pepper’s Jamaican Food on Slauson and Van Ness in Los Angeles, held a press conference this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/87tR3OJlPY
— Los Angeles Journalist 📸 (@slausongirlnews) July 23, 2025
Following the news about the shocking death, investigations are currently underway, with tributes pouring in from different corners.
Pepper’s Jamaican Food owner Jolene Thurton passes away
Jolene Thurton, the owner of Pepper’s Jamaican Food, has tragically passed away on July 17, 2025. Authorities reportedly found Jolene Thurton unresponsive in the 1200 block of West 87th Street in Los Angeles, following which paramedics transported her to a hospital, where doctors eventually pronounced her dead.
Cause of death
According to Jolene’s family, she was stabbed during a confrontation in Los Angeles with someone described as a “provoking energy” in her life. Jolene’s cousin, Isabell Izzy Requena, stated that police allegedly moved her body before taking her to the hospital, and no one was able to administer pressure to her wounds. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department stated that gunshots were reported around the same time and suspect that she may have been shot. As of now, the exact cause of death remains disputed, with investigations ongoing.
Tributes and condolences
Following the news about her death, Jolene’s sister, Ronnie, spoke about her and described her as more than a beautiful face:
Jolene Tessa Thurton was a visionary, a proud entrepreneur, actress, and the heart behind Pepper’s Jamaican Belizean Cuisine. She lit up every room with her energy and inspired women and children to dream bigger.”
Ronnie further added:
She was a fighter, a giver, a creator, and above all a mother whose love had no limits. Her legacy lives on through every life she touched, every soul she uplifted and every bold move she made in a world that couldn’t dim her light.”
Jolene Thurton biography and age
Jolene Thurton was a renowned entrepreneur who was born in the mid-1980s, and she grew up surrounded by Jamaican and Belizean traditions, which later influenced her culinary vision. Thurton had deep roots in Los Angeles, where she managed to build a life centered around food, family, and entrepreneurship. Jolene was 39 years old at the time of her death.
Family
Jolene came from a very close-knit family, and her relatives often described her as the glue who held everyone together. She was especially close to her sister Ronnie and her cousin, Isabell Izzy Requena, both of whom have spoken out publicly following her passing.
Profession and career
Jolene Thurton was best known as the founder and owner of Pepper’s Jamaican-Belizean Cuisine in Los Angeles. The restaurant is a hotspot for Caribbean food lovers. She was also an actress and creative entrepreneur who poured her soul into everything she touched. Her restaurant became more than a business—it became a community hub.
Husband and children
Although there are no publicly available records of her marriage or about her husband, she was a devoted mother to her 11-year-old son, Endon. Her family has launched a GoFundMe in order to raise $18,000 to support Endon’s education and emotional healing.
Net worth
Though her exact net worth is not publicly confirmed, Jolene likely earned a comfortable income from her successful restaurant and entrepreneurial ventures.
Jolene Thurton has an active Instagram account under the handle @joelinejolenem, where she has over 11,000 followers and over 600 posts. She mainly posts updates of her business, family moments, and inspirational messages.