20 Celebrities Who Have Been Linked to Murders

You’d think that people who live in the spotlight and have a lot to use would be more careful about their decisions.  However, that is simply not the case.  At least a few times a year, there are news stories about celebrities who have gotten themselves involved in some sort of activity.  While most of the incidents are relatively minor, there have also been situations in which celebrities have been involved with the highest level of crime: murder.  Throughout the years some extremely popular celebrities have found themselves caught up in the middle of murder cases.  Although some were eventually acquitted, others were sentenced to serve long prison terms and have permanently damaged their careers. Here are 20 celebrities who have been linked to murders.

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Lillo Brancato Jr.

Best-known for his role on the hit series, The Sopranos, Lillo Brancato Jr. found himself in serious trouble with the law back in 2005 when he was arrested on charges of second-degree murder.  Apparently, Brancato was involved in a burglary that resulted in the death of an off-duty police officer.  Although he was acquitted of the murder charge, he was found guilty of first-degree attempted burglary and subsequently sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was released in 2013.

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Cassidy 

Rapper Cassidy rose to fame in 2003 with his hit single, “Hotel.”  Unfortunately, despite his fame, Cassidy was unable to stay out of trouble.  Just two years later, Cassidy found himself caught up in a murder case after he was allegedly involved in the shooting of a Philadelphia man.  After several turns in the case, including a key witness deciding not to testify, Cassidy was ultimately charged and convinced of involuntary manslaughter.  He was released from prison in March 2006 after just eight months behind bars.

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Juan Carlos-Cruz

Celebrity chef and weight-loss success story, Juan Carlos-Cruz, was arrested in May 2010 after allegations that he had attempted to find homeless people to hire to murder his wife.  Several months later Cruz entered a plea agreement to have his charges lessened.  In December 2010, he was sentenced to nine years in prison and a correctional institution in California.

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Rae Carruth

Former professional football player, Rae Carruth, made headlines off the field when he was arrested in 1999. After his arrest news quickly broke that Carruth may have been involved in the murder of a woman who was carrying his baby.  According to the initial report, Carruth blocked the woman’s car in while another car pulled up and shot her.  Although she passed away later, her child survived but has suffered permanent brain damage.  After the incident, Carruth fled and was captured in Tennessee.  Carruth was eventually found guilty on charges of  conspiracy to commit murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle, and using an instrument to destroy an unborn child.  As a result of his charges, he was sentenced to serve 18 to 24 years in prison which he is currently serving in North Carolina

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Rebecca Gayheart

In 2001, actress Rebecca Gayheart was charged with vehicular manslaughter after her car struck and killed a nine year old boy.  She pleaded no contest to the charge and was sentenced to three years of probation.

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Jovan Belcher

In 2012, former NFL linebacker, Jovan Belcher, became a national news story when he shot and killed his girlfriend before turning the gun on himself.  As a result of the incident, Belcher’s young daughter, Zoey was left orphaned.

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Sid Vicious

In 1978, rock star, Sid Vicious, was a suspect in the murder of his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen.  After admitting that the two fought the night of her death, Vicious stated: “I stabbed her, but I never meant to kill her.”  Less than two weeks after her death, Vicious attempted suicide. Although he was charged with second-degree murder, Vicious died just four months after Spungen’s death, which resulted in authorities closing the murder case.

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Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye has gone down in history as one of the most talented musicians of his generation.  Unfortunately; however, his career was cut short when he was murdered by his own father.  According to the story, Gaye had just intervened in an argument between his parents, which caused his father to be upset.

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Jayson Williams

In 2002, former NBA player Jayson Williams, was involved in a shooting at his home in New Jersey.  Following the incident, he was charged with manslaughter, and although that charge was eventually dropped, he was convicted on four counts of aggravated assault. In 2010, Williams finally received his sentencing which stated that he would serve five years in prison.  He was released in April 2012.

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Michael Jace

In 2014, Michael Jace was arrested after police were called to his home following a domestic dispute.  During the 911 call, Jace stated, “I shot my wife,” and later made a full confession.; however, he later plead not guilty.  During the trial, Jace’s violent past was revealed and he apparently had a history of domestic violence.

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Ray Lewis

Two time Super Bowl champ, Ray Lewis, was arrested following the stabbing death of two men.  Lewis walked away with just 12 months probation and a $250,000 fine from the NFL.  Despite his legal troubles, Lewis remained a popular player until he left the league in 2012.

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Brandy

R&B superstar, Brandy, found herself thrust into the spotlight when she killed another driver during a car accident on the highway. Although she was never arrested or charged for the incident, her public image took a bit of a hit as many labeled her a murderer.

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Don King

Legendary boxing promoter, Don King, has been charged with not one, but two murders, throughout his life.  The first was labeled a justifiable homicide after King killed a man who was attempting to rob him.  The other resulted in a conviction for second-degree murder after he stomped an employee to death over $600.

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Matthew Broderick

In 1987, Matthew Broderick was responsible for a car accident that resulted in the death of two people.  While driving in the wrong lane, Broderick’s vehicle struck another head on.  Broderick has since spoken about the incident, stating: “I don’t remember the day. I don’t remember even getting up in the morning. I don’t remember making my bed. What I first remember is waking up in the hospital, with a very strange feeling going on in my leg.”

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Suge Knight

Suge Knight is one of those guys who just can’t seem to stay out of trouble.  Over the course of his career as a music executive, Knight has had several run-ins with the law.  Most recently, in February 2015, Knight was arrested and charge with murder and attempted murder.  According to witnesses, Knight followed two men with whom he had just argued, and ran them over.  Knight is currently awaiting trial.

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Oscar Pistorious

Olympian, Oscar Pistorious, made headlines all over the world when he shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.  Although Pistorious said that he killed Steenkamp because he thought she was an introducer, his statements quickly came under question.  Pistorious was eventually found guilty of culpable homicide and reckless endangerment.  He is currently serving a five-year prison term in South Africa.

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Snoop Dogg

At the on-set of his career, Snoop Dogg found himself fighting a murder charge for the killing of a rival gang member.  Fortunately for Snoop, he was acquitted on the charges, and documented his legal battle in a song and short film titled Murder Was The Case.

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Phil Spector

In 2003, actress, Lana Clarkson was found dead from a single gunshot wound in Phil Spector’s home.  Spector, who had a history of pulling guns on women, quickly fell under suspicion.  He was eventually found guilty of second-degree murder and was sentenced to 19 years in prison.

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O.J. Simpson

Former football star, O.J. Simpson was involved in one of the most highly publicized murder trials in recent history.  In 1994, he was arrested and charged with killing his wife, Nicole Brown, and her friend, Ronald Goldman.  Although there was a lot of evidence to suggest that Simpson was responsible for the murders, he was eventually found not guilty.  Since then, Simpson has written a book detailing what he would have done had he been the one to commit the crimes.  Although it’s been more than 20 years since the trial, many believe that Simpson was truly guilty.

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Aaron Hernandez

Recently, former New England Patriot, Aaron Hernandez, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd. Before his conviction, Hernandez’ career was already ruined and he had been fired from the NFL.  In April 2015, Hernandez was sentenced to life in prison.

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