10 Celebrities Who Took a Life
Fame often brings glamour and adoration, but for some celebrities, it has also been marked by dark and tragic moments. Here are 10 celebrities whose lives were forever changed by their involvement in fatal incidents.
1. Caitlyn Jenner: A Tragic Accident
In 2015, Caitlyn Jenner was involved in a fatal car accident while driving her Cadillac SUV. The accident resulted in the death of Kimberly Howe when her car was pushed into the path of a Hummer after being hit by Jenner's vehicle. Jenner was cleared of any criminal charges but settled a civil lawsuit with Howe's family.
2. Keith Moon: A Night Out Turned Deadly
Legendary drummer Keith Moon of "The Who" faced tragedy on Jan. 4, 1970. While attempting to escape a violent altercation at a pub, Moon accidentally ran over and killed his friend Neil Boland. The death was ruled accidental, but the incident haunted Moon for years.
3. William S. Burroughs: A Deadly Party Game
Celebrated author William S. Burroughs accidentally shot and killed his partner, Joan Vollmer, during a party in Mexico. Burroughs claimed he was attempting to shoot a glass off her head in a drunken game gone wrong. He fled to the U.S. before facing trial and was convicted in absence, receiving a suspended sentence.
4. Snoop Dogg: The Rapper's Murder Trial
In 1993, rapper Snoop Dogg was involved in the shooting death of Phillip Woldermariam. His bodyguard, McKinley Lee, fired the fatal shot while Snoop was driving the car. Both were acquitted of murder after a high-profile trial.
5. Don King: Boxing Promoter's Dark Past
Boxing promoter Don King was involved in the deaths of two men. In 1954, he killed Hillary Brown in a justifiable homicide. Thirteen years later, he was convicted of manslaughter for beating an employee, Sam Garrett, to death. King served four years in prison before being pardoned.
6. Matthew Broderick: Fatal Vacation
Actor Matthew Broderick was involved in a tragic car accident in Ireland in 1987. Broderick's car collided head-on with another vehicle, resulting in the deaths of two women. He was charged with careless driving and fined $175.
7. Laura Bush: A Tragic Teen Accident
At 17, Laura Bush (then Laura Welch) was involved in a car accident that killed her friend and classmate Michael Dutton Douglas. Bush ran a stop sign, causing the fatal collision. She was not charged, but the event deeply affected her life.
8. Phil Spector: A Music Mogul's Downfall
Music producer Phil Spector was convicted of second-degree murder in 2009 for the death of actress Lana Clarkson. Clarkson was found dead in Spector's home, and despite his claims that it was an accident, he was sentenced to 19 years to life in prison.
9. Ted Kennedy: The Chappaquiddick Incident
In 1969, Senator Ted Kennedy drove off a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island, resulting in the drowning death of his passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne. Kennedy pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident, and his political career suffered greatly.
10. Sid Vicious: A Punk Rock Tragedy
Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious was charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, in 1978. Spungen was found dead from a stab wound in their hotel room. Vicious was released on bail but died of a drug overdose before the trial.
Despite their fame, these celebrities faced dark moments that dramatically altered their lives and the lives of others. Their stories serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of actions, intentional or accidental.
Reference: 20 Celebrities That Allegedly Killed Someone
