The songwriter of one of the biggest hits in the history of popular music was found dead Sunday in an apparent suicide, The New York Times reported.

Joseph Brooks, who won an Oscar for his hit song "You Light Up My Life," was 73. He was found by a friend in his Manhattan apartment with his head wrapped in a plastic bag, which was connected to a tube from a helium tank, the story said, citing a law enforcement official.

Brooks, who grew wealthy as a young man by writing jingles for Dr. Pepper and other products, was accused in 2009 of sexually assaulting 13 women, the story notes. His 24-year-old son was arrested last year on charges of murdering his girlfriend, the piece adds.

Brooks had also suffered from a stroke, which left him unable to play the piano, the story says.

Debby Boone’s recording of “You Light Up My Life” spent 10 weeks at the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 singles chart in the late 1970s, becoming the most successful single of the decade. It ranks No. 7 on Billboard’s All Time Top 100.