There are celebrities that we all love, look up to, and follow. Sometimes, sadly, we lose them whatever the reason may be, it affects the fans deeply. More so when the favorite celebrity dies tragically, way too soon. Celebrity murders can be traumatic to the followers, especially due to the constant media coverage. And every anniversary of the death brings back the memory of the horrifying news. Here are a few celebrities whose murders shook the nation.
John Lennon
The voice of the generation, John Lennon, the main vocalist of The Beatles was one of the most tragic celebrity murders. He was killed by Mark David Chapman. He had once asked the singer to sign a copy of Double Fantasy outside his New York City apartment building. Chapman returned to the building on December 8, 1980, and shot the celeb four times. The murderer said his actions were inspired by The Catcher in the Rye. As a result, he was sentenced to life in prison. Lennon’s death did not just shake the nation but the whole world.
Nicole Brown Simpson
To the world, the marriage of O.J. and Nicole Brown Simpson seemed perfect. But the truth was far from that. The relationship was toxic and abusive and even got physical. Simpson pleaded a no contest to spousal abuse in 1989. The couple got divorced soon after. On June 13, 1994, Nicole Brown Simpson was found dead outside her house in the Brentwood area. She was stabbed multiple times, and beside her was the body of Ron Goldman. The news shook the country and O.J. became the prime suspect of the celebrity murders. Though, he was acquitted. But later he was sentenced for an unrelated crime in 2008.
Bob Crane
Playing the role of Colonel Hogan in the sitcom Hogan’s Heroes, Bob Crane was known for being a wholesome actor. He was also a good husband and father and also a Conservative in public. But in private he had been captured on camera with female admirers. His behavior sealed his fate, and he was found murdered in his apartment in Scottsdale, Arizona. The murder weapon was allegedly a camera tripod. The prime suspect was John Carpenter but he was acquitted. And the case remains unresolved.
Sharon Tate
One of the celebrity murders that became most famous and disturbing was of Sharon Tate. The actress was with her friends in her apartment when she was attacked by Tex Watson, Susan Atkins, Linda Kasabian, and Patricia Krenwinkel. Sharon Tate was two weeks from giving birth when she was killed in 1969. She was stabbed 16 times. All her friends along with her were murdered in a two-day period by the murderous group – “The Manson Family”. The trial of Manson and his followers was a three-ringed circus. Charles Manson was sentenced to life but came out on parole.
Marvin Gaye
One of the most iconic singers, Marvin Gaye is known for his fusion of soul, R&B, funk, and jazz. But he had troubles in his personal life. The singer had suffered child abuse, was battling depression and addiction. Gaye was shot by his father, in an attempt to break up a fight between him and his mother. His father was sentenced to 6 years on probation, as it was found that a brain tumor was what led to his then erratic behavior.
