Jody Babydol Gibson is Dead! CAUSE OF DEATH Known

Law enforcement sources say Officials were called by a family member Sunday and arrived at Jody's Yucca Valley home around 11 a.m., where she was pronounced dead at the scene. she was apparently killed in her sleep.

Eric Markel, her husband of 12 years, confirmed her death and told us that Jody's death was a mystery - he explains that she was not battling a known illness, but had lost weight dramatically recently. He says she was down to 87 pounds.

Markel considers it highly relevant that they were in the midst of an ugly legal battle over the sale of their home - he told us he believed she died of "exhaustion" from the turmoil.

Gibson, infamously known as "Sasha of the Valley," served time in prison in the early 2000s after being convicted of pimping in L.A. - prosecutors at the time alleged she ran one of the city's largest escort services ... something JG was eventually able to learn about in books and elsewhere. Over 300 women were said to have worked for her.

Babydol was sentenced to 3 years in prison after the trial, but only got 2 years. Her trial caused a stir in Hollywood because her black book allegedly listed several celebrities from sports, politics and entertainment as clients.

Her life story is quite fascinating ... She came to L.A. in the early 80s to become famous through a music career and a modeling career - the latter taking off first and becoming her main occupation.

Soon, an agency she founded became an upscale hotspot.

While running that business, Jody made a few appearances in front of the camera ... In a B-movie horror film called "Evil Laugh" and a guest appearance on the talk show "Up All Night." Later, she appeared a few times in "Larry King Live", "The Playboy Morning Show" and other one-off variety shows/documentaries.

Throughout her life, Jody was not squeamish about sharing her life's journey .... and became something of a beloved pop culture icon. She lived to be 64 years old.

REST IN PEACE