On This Day In LA - Marvin Gaye Killed

On this day in 1984, a paranoid, drug-taking, freaked out Marvin Gaye was shot and killed by his father, Marvin Sr., at the elder's home on Gramercy in the Crenshaw District.

1983 was very good for Gaye, he won his first Grammy, he performed that unforgettable version of the Star Spangled Banner at the Forum before the All-Star Game, and he toured around the US. Unfortunately he was driving himself crazy with the concept that someone was trying to kill him.

So after the tour, he shacked up with his parents, which was an odd choice since it led him to several suicide threats after arguments with his father.

Findadeath.com explains how the murder went down via Marvin's mother, Alberta Gay.

Both of them went into the father's room. "I didn't see what happened in the bedroom," related Alberta, "I heard my husband say, He's kicking me. I don't have to take that.''

"When I entered the room, my husband was on the floor, and Marvin was standing a short distance away. I took Marvin by the arm and led him back to his room. I sat him on the foot of the bed. Marvin told me, "Mother, I'm going to get my things and get out of this house. Father hates me and I'm never coming back."

"I was standing about eight feet away from Marvin, when my husband came to the door of the bedroom with his pistol. My husband didn't say anything, he just pointed the gun at Marvin. I screamed but it was very quick. He, my husband, shot - and Marvin screamed. I tried to run. Marvin slid down to the floor after the first shot."

photo via Findadeath