Hollywood is where dreams are made, with musicians as well as actors enjoying massive fandom all over the world. But, when the coin flips, nobody —and we mean absolutely nobody—is spared.
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Here are five celebrities whose tragic murders shocked the world.
John Lennon
One of the greatest musicians of all time, John Lennon, died because a fan couldn’t contain his dark thoughts about the former frontman of the all-boy band, The Beatles. On December 8 of 1980, the legendary singer-guitarist was shot multiple times by a mentally unstable fan named John David Chapman outside of Lennon’s home in New York. Lennon died from his gunshot wounds, as stated by CBC.
Years later, the fan said:
I knew what I was doing, and I knew it was evil. I knew it was wrong, but I wanted the fame so much that I was willing to give everything and take a human life.
Tupac Shakur
Tupac's death is one tragedy that remains in the hearts of his fans to this day. In fact, his followers and loved ones never got closure from his murder as the case has not been solved to this day.
On September 7 of 1996, Shakur was shot while travelling in a car in Las Vegas. He died six days later after being rushed to a local hospital.
Over the years, the mystery around his sudden passing has propagated many conspiracy theories, and investigations by journalists. However official authorities have made headway in the recent year. In September 2023, a man called Duane 'Keffe D' Davis was arrested and charged with the murder of Tupac—27 years after the murder happened. As per Live Now Fox, he has pleaded not-guilty so far and his trial is set for November 2024.
Gianni Versace
Versace is one of the top fashion brands of all time, and celebrities from all around the world love to wear their creations. On July 15 of 1997, the Italian fashion designer, Gianna Versace, was killed on the steps outside of his Florida home by a young man named Andrew Cunanan. The motive is unclear to this day, but Cunanan killed himself days after carrying out the seemingly senseless act.
Gianni Versace is not the only person who was killed by Cunanan. It is reported that he is a serial killer who murdered five people.
Sharon Tate
This actress will always be remembered for the man who killed her: America’s most notorious killer to this day, Charles Manson, who had a cult that would aid him in his crimes.
On August 8 1969 Manson and his group of young followers, called ‘The Family’, broke into her house and killed her brutally. Tate, at the time, was eight-months pregnant with celebrated director Roman Polanski's child, wrote Vox in a detailed explainer.
Marvin Gaye
Unlike others on this list, American singer and songwriter Marvin Gaye was killed by his own father Marvin Gay Sr. on April 1 1984 after a domestic dispute went horribly wrong. Often called the Prince of Soul and the Prince of MoTown, Gaye died of gunshot wounds to the heart and left shoulder, as reported by Smooth Radio.
Read more:
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Sources used:
CBC: 'When the world learned that John Lennon was gone'
Mirror: '7 of the wildest Tupac conspiracy theories – faking his own death to new life in Scotland'
Harper's Bazaar: 'Why Did Andrew Cunanan Go on a Killing Spree? American Crime Story Explores His Motives'
Vox: 'The Manson Family murders, and their complicated legacy, explained'
Smooth Radio: 'The tragic story of Marvin Gaye and the untimely death of a soul legend'
Live Now Fox: Tupac murder trial: Suspected killer appears in court for status update
