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Earlier this month, the music world suffered the tragic loss of legendary blues icon B.B. King. Although it was initially reported that the 89-year-old’s death was caused by a series of mini strokes, recent developments suggest that there may have been more to it than that.
According to NBC News, a homicide investigation has been opened after two of King’s daughters, Karen Williams and Patty King, made allegations that two of the musician’s close aids sped up his death by poisoning him.
“I believe my father was poisoned and that he was administered foreign substances,” say affidavits from both daughters, according to the AP. “I believe my father was murdered.”
The blues icon’s body was examined by a Nevada coroner on Monday and was returned to the mortuary the same day.
“At this point, we don’t have evidence that these allegations of foul play will be substantiated,” said Clark County Coroner John Fudenberg. “However, we are taking them very seriously and will be conducting a thorough investigation. We are coordinating our investigative efforts with the Homicide Division of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. I expect the investigation will take a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks.”
Sergeant John Sheahan of the Las Vegas Metro Police has explained that they are not currently pursuing a criminal investigation and will not do so “until such time as the Clark County Coroner determines Mr. King’s death to be from other than natural causes.”
There has been growing tension brewing between King’s daughters and the aides, who alleged that the singer’s team kept them away from their father during his final days. As previously reported, King died in hospice care. Funeral services have been scheduled for Friday, May 29.
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