MUMBAI: A murder investigation was launched into the death of ‘the King of Blues’, BB King after two of his daughters claimed that he was poisoned. However, the preliminary autopsy does not support the contention.
King's daughters, Patty King and Karen Williams filed separate, identically worded affidavits which state that the ‘blues legend’ was “administered foreign substances to induce his premature death." They have accused King's business manager, LaVerne Toney, and, his personal assistant, Myron Johnson of neglect.
No investigation was conducted at the time of death and King’s attending physician had listed the cause of death as multi-infarct dementia, which is caused by a series of small strokes, connected to his Type 2 diabetes. Initial autopsy results found "no evidence to substantiate the allegations," said John Fudenberg, coroner for Clark County, Nevada. Full forensic results will take six to eight weeks.
The allegations are the most recent attempt by some of King’s children to control the late singer’s assets which are believed to be in the millions. King had fifteen children, out of which eleven are living. Patty King, Karen Williams and a third daughter, Rita Washington had gone to court earlier this year, accusing the business manager Toney of elder abuse and neglect. The case was dismissed due to lack of evidence.
Business manager and executor of King’s estate, Toney dismissed the accusations. "They've been making allegations all along. What's new?" she said.
King passed away on 14th May, 2015 at his Las Vegas home, aged 89. Believed to be one of the world’s greatest guitarists, he was known for songs like ‘The Thrill Is Gone’, ‘Three O'Clock Blues’ and ‘Darlin' You Know I Love You.’