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James Brown's Family Claim The Soul Singer May Have Been Murdered

James Brown's Family Claim The Soul Singer May Have Been Murdered

An investigation has been launched by his family and friends

Anonymous

Anonymous

The family of late soul star James Brown are calling for further investigations into his death amid fears he might have been murdered.

CNN reports that 11 of his family and friends have come forward to say that his 2006 death was not heart failure, as reported at the time, but in fact the result of foul play.

Suspicions have been roused in many of his closest entourage, including his son, widow, management team and even the doctor who signed his death certificate.

PA

"He changed too fast," Dr Marvin Crawford told CNN. "He was a patient I would never have predicted would have coded... But he died that night, and I did raise that question: 'What went wrong in that room?'."

To add to the uncertainty surrounding his passing, his daughter Yamma reportedly refused to approve an autopsy when asked by medical staff. And then - in what is an even weirder twist - Denna Brown Thomas, another of his daughters, wouldn't confirm or deny that the crypt at his Beech Island home actually contains any remains.

The three part series from CNN goes into more detail about the controversy surrounding what happened after Brown died, including a meeting in 2017 with a circus singer named Jacquelyn Hollander.

PA

She went on to show evidence which included 1,300 pages of text messages and official documents, as well as suggesting that the death of Brown's third wife Adrienne in 1996 was linked to his 10 years later.

Brown was no stranger to controversy. His drug abuse was also well documented, having been reported to use PCP and cocaine.

The singer had been in trouble with police, being repeatedly arrested for domestic violence and assault charges against women, including four times against his third wife Adrienne Rodriguez between 1987 and 1995, where he hit her with a lead pipe and shot at their car during a row.

In 2004, he was arrested for pushing Tomi Rae Hynie - now his widow - to the ground during an argument, injuring her. He didn't deny any of the charges against him.

Although his private life was volatile, he still has a huge legacy in the world of music, with the likes of Public Enemy's Chuck D and Mick Jagger all citing him as one of their biggest influences musically.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: News, Music, US Entertainment