Freddy E (Photo courtesy Twitter.com)

Rapper Freddy E was found dead in Seattle, Washington on Saturday after allegedly taking his own life.

The rising hip-hop star, real name Frederick Eugene Buhl, appeared to have shot himself in the head.

The 22 year old, who was signed to rapper Tyga's Last Kings record label, posted a series of chilling messages on his official Twitter.com page prior to his death, hinting at his fragile state of mind.

He wrote, "(It's) been a long time since I've gone through heart break. It's a cold unforgiving world if I do say... If there's a God then he's calling me back home... I'd rather die than live alone... It's... all... bad... y'all. *puts finger around trigger*... I'm sorry."

The rapper's family posted a statement on his official Facebook.com page on Saturday. It reads, "Today, our son, Frederick Eugene Buhl, age 22 years old, took his own life with a rifle shot to the head. Our family is saddened beyond words; our loss is great; this tragedy is enormous and unforeseen.

"Not only our family, but the world has lost a talented, sensitive, brilliant young man who lit up our existence with his. We love him a great deal, and he will be sorely missed. We pray that God will now watch over him, and we ask all of you to include Frederick and our entire family in your thoughts and prayers."

Buhl's death marks hip-hop's second suicide in as many weeks after rapper Capital Steez allegedly took his own life on Christmas Eve.

Rap mogul Russell Simmons was among the stars paying tribute to the hip-hop star, writing in a post on his Twitter.com page, "My prayers are with the family of Freddy E."