Wang Jian, co-founder and chairman of HNA Group, has passed away, the group announced on its website.
In an obituary, the group stated that Wang, age 57, died in an accident while on a business trip in Provence, France.
Bloomberg quoted local law enforcement as saying that the executive’s death was not seen as suspicious.
The HNA Group had been on a buying spree in recent years – with purchases including Hilton and what was then known as Carlson Hotels – before dumping several of its assets in quick succession due to problems with debt.
