Celebs Who Have Killed Someone

The intersection of celebrity culture and legal tragedy has often led to some of the most shocking headlines in news history. While many stars are celebrated for their creative talents or athletic prowess some have been involved in incidents that resulted in the death of another person. These cases range from accidental traffic collisions and workplace mishaps to intentional acts of violence and high profile criminal trials. Understanding the circumstances behind these events provides a complex look at how the law handles individuals who live in the spotlight. This list explores several public figures who have been linked to fatal incidents throughout their lives and careers.

Alec Baldwin

In 2021 the actor was practicing a scene on the set of ‘Rust’ when a prop firearm discharged a live round of ammunition. The shot killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and left the director of the film wounded. Baldwin maintained that he believed the gun was safe to handle and did not intentionally pull the trigger. The tragedy resulted in several lawsuits and criminal investigations into the safety of the movie production.

Matthew Broderick

The actor was involved in a fatal car accident in 1987 while vacationing in Northern Ireland with his then girlfriend. He was driving a rental car that crossed into the opposite lane and collided with an oncoming vehicle. The crash resulted in the deaths of a mother and daughter who were in the other car. Broderick was convicted of careless driving and was ordered to pay a fine for the incident.

Caitlyn Jenner

In 2015 the former reality star and Olympian was involved in a multi vehicle pileup on the Pacific Coast Highway. Her car struck another vehicle from behind which caused it to drift into oncoming traffic where it was hit again. The driver of the other car was killed in the impact and several other people were injured. Jenner was not charged with a crime but she did face multiple civil lawsuits from the family of the victim.

Vince Neil

The lead singer of Motley Crue was involved in a tragic car accident in 1984 while driving under the influence. His passenger Nicholas Dingley was killed in the wreck and two people in the other vehicle suffered serious brain damage. Neil was charged with vehicular manslaughter and spent a short amount of time in jail for his role in the crash. He was also ordered to pay millions of dollars in restitution to the victims and their families.

Brandy Norwood

The singer was involved in a freeway accident in 2006 when her car struck the back of another vehicle in Los Angeles. The driver of the other car died at a local hospital shortly after the collision took place. Law enforcement investigated the incident but ultimately decided not to file criminal charges against the star. Norwood later reached a settlement with the family of the woman who was killed in the crash.

Don King

The famous boxing promoter was involved in two separate incidents that led to the deaths of other individuals. In the early 1950s he shot a man who was attempting to rob one of his gambling houses in an act ruled as justifiable homicide. Years later he was convicted of non negligent manslaughter for the death of an employee during a street altercation. King served nearly four years in prison before being paroled and later pardoned for the crime.

Phil Spector

The influential music producer was convicted of murdering actress Lana Clarkson at his mansion in 2003. Clarkson was found with a fatal gunshot wound to the head and Spector claimed that the incident was an accidental suicide. A second trial eventually found him guilty and he was sentenced to nineteen years to life in prison. He remained incarcerated until he passed away from natural causes in 2021.

Sid Vicious

The bassist for the Sex Pistols was charged with the murder of his girlfriend Nancy Spungen in 1978. Spungen was found dead in a New York City hotel room from a single stab wound to the abdomen. Vicious initially confessed to the crime but later claimed he had no memory of what happened that night. He died of a drug overdose while out on bail before the case could go to trial.

Oscar Pistorius

The Paralympic runner was convicted of the 2013 killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his home in South Africa. He claimed that he mistook her for an intruder when he fired several shots through a locked bathroom door. After a series of appeals the court found him guilty of murder and sentenced him to a lengthy prison term. Pistorius was eventually released on parole after serving more than half of his sentence.

Michael Jace

The actor known for his role on ‘The Shield’ was convicted of second degree murder for the 2014 death of his wife. He shot her in their home during a domestic dispute while their children were present in the house. Jace confessed to the shooting but claimed that he only intended to wound her and not kill her. He was sentenced to forty years to life in prison for the crime.

Amy Locane

The actress from ‘Melrose Place’ was involved in a fatal drunk driving accident in 2010. She crashed her vehicle into another car which resulted in the death of a woman and serious injuries to her husband. Locane was found to have a blood alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit at the time of the crash. She has served multiple stints in prison as her case went through several rounds of sentencing and appeals.

Lane Garrison

The ‘Prison Break’ actor was involved in a 2006 car accident that led to the death of a high school student. Garrison was driving under the influence when he lost control of his vehicle and struck a tree. One passenger was killed and two other teenagers in the car were seriously injured in the wreck. He pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter and served approximately half of his three year prison sentence.

Johnny Lewis

The ‘Sons of Anarchy’ actor was involved in a violent incident in 2012 that resulted in the death of his elderly landlady. After the attack on the woman Lewis fell from a roof or balcony and died from his injuries. Police found the body of the landlady inside the home and determined she had been beaten to death. The autopsy revealed no drugs in his system but he had been struggling with mental health issues prior to the event.

Rebecca Gayheart

In 2001 the actress was driving in Los Angeles when she struck a nine year old boy who was crossing the street. The child died from his injuries the following day and Gayheart was charged with vehicular manslaughter. She pleaded no contest to the charge and received a sentence of probation and community service. She also settled a wrongful death lawsuit with the family of the boy out of court.

Charles S. Dutton

Before becoming a successful actor he spent time in prison for the death of a man during a street fight. Dutton was only seventeen years old when the incident occurred and he was convicted of manslaughter. He discovered his passion for acting while serving his sentence and eventually transitioned into a professional career after his release. He is now known for his powerful performances on stage and in television series like ‘Roc’.

C-Murder

Corey Miller who is known by his stage name was convicted of the 2002 murder of a teenager at a nightclub. Witnesses identified him as the person who shot the sixteen year old fan during a large brawl. He was sentenced to life in prison but has consistently maintained his innocence through various appeals. His case has gained renewed attention in recent years from advocates who believe he was wrongfully convicted.

Gucci Mane

In 2005 the rapper was involved in a shooting that resulted in the death of a man who was part of a group attacking him. He was charged with murder but his legal team argued that he acted in self defense during an attempted robbery. The charges were eventually dropped due to a lack of evidence and the testimony of witnesses. Gucci Mane has since become one of the most prominent figures in the hip hop industry.

William S. Burroughs

The famous author and member of the Beat Generation accidentally shot his wife Joan Vollmer in 1951. The couple was playing a drunken game of William Tell in Mexico when the gun discharged and struck her in the head. Burroughs was convicted of culpable homicide in his absence after he fled back to the United States. This tragic event haunted him for the rest of his life and heavily influenced his literary work.

Gig Young

The Academy Award winning actor was involved in a murder suicide involving his fifth wife in 1978. Police found both individuals dead in their New York apartment just weeks after they were married. Investigators concluded that Young shot his wife before turning the weapon on himself. No motive for the crime was ever officially established by the authorities.

John Landis

The director faced significant legal trouble after a helicopter crash on the set of ‘Twilight Zone The Movie’ in 1982. The accident killed actor Vic Morrow and two young children who were performing a scene involving pyrotechnics. Landis and several crew members were charged with involuntary manslaughter for the safety failures on set. They were ultimately acquitted of all charges after a lengthy and controversial trial.

Tony Stewart

The professional race car driver was involved in a tragic on track accident in 2014 that resulted in the death of Kevin Ward Jr. During a dirt track race Ward exited his vehicle and walked onto the track to confront Stewart after a collision. Stewart struck the young driver with his car and Ward died from his injuries shortly after. A grand jury declined to indict Stewart on any criminal charges related to the incident.

Ryan Grantham

The actor who appeared in ‘Riverdale’ was convicted of murdering his mother in their home in 2020. He confessed to shooting her in the back of the head while she was playing piano and later planned to attack a high school. Grantham stated that he committed the act to save his mother from seeing the violence he intended to commit later. He was sentenced to life in prison and expressed deep remorse for his actions during the trial.

Ricardo Medina Jr.

The actor known for his work in the ‘Power Rangers’ franchise was convicted of the 2015 killing of his roommate. He used a sword to stab the victim during an argument over his girlfriend at their shared residence. Medina initially claimed he acted in self defense but later pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter. He was sentenced to six years in prison and was released after serving his time.

Chris Benoit

The professional wrestler was involved in a double murder and suicide in 2007 that shocked the sports world. Over the course of a weekend he killed his wife and his young son before taking his own life in their home. The incident led to intense discussions regarding the impact of repeated head trauma and steroid use on the mental health of athletes. His legacy in the wrestling industry was largely erased by major organizations following the tragedy.

Varg Vikernes

The Norwegian black metal musician was convicted of the 1993 murder of his bandmate Øystein Aarseth. He traveled to the home of the victim and stabbed him multiple times during a confrontation over a contract dispute. Vikernes was also found guilty of arson involving several historic stave churches in Norway. He served fifteen years of a twenty one year sentence before being released on parole.

Robert Blake

The actor was tried for the 2001 murder of his wife Bonnie Lee Bakley who was found shot in her car outside a restaurant. While Blake was acquitted of the criminal charges in court a civil jury later found him responsible for her death. He was ordered to pay thirty million dollars to the children of the victim which led him to file for bankruptcy. Blake remained a controversial figure in the entertainment industry until his death in 2023.

Felicia Pearson

Before starring in ‘The Wire’ the actress was convicted of second degree murder for a shooting that occurred when she was fourteen years old. She served several years in a correctional facility where she eventually decided to turn her life around. Pearson was discovered by an actor from the show in a nightclub and was cast in a prominent role that mirrored her past life. She has since used her platform to speak about her experiences and advocate for at risk youth.

Fay DeWitt

In 1965 the comic actress was charged with the murder of her husband Ray Allen during a domestic dispute. She reportedly used a letter opener to defend herself while she was being attacked in their home. The charges were dropped by a judge who ruled that the killing was an act of justifiable self defense. DeWitt went on to have a long career in television and appeared on many popular sitcoms.

Howard Hughes

The famous aviator and businessman struck and killed a pedestrian with his car in Los Angeles in 1936. A witness initially claimed that Hughes was driving erratically but later changed their story to support the star. A coroner jury eventually cleared him of any criminal responsibility for the death of the man. The incident was one of many controversies that defined the public life of the mysterious billionaire.

Claudine Longet

The singer and actress was charged with reckless homicide for the 1976 death of Olympic skier Vladimir Sabich. She claimed that the gun went off accidentally while he was showing her how to use it in their home. Longet was convicted of a lesser misdemeanor charge and served only thirty days in jail. She retired from public life shortly after the trial and the resulting scandal.

Salman Khan

The Bollywood superstar was involved in a 2002 hit and run incident that resulted in the death of a homeless man. His vehicle ran over several people who were sleeping on a sidewalk in Mumbai. Khan was initially convicted of culpable homicide and sentenced to five years in prison but the ruling was later overturned. He remains one of the most successful and influential actors in the Indian film industry.

Navjot Singh Sidhu

The former cricketer and television personality was involved in a road rage incident in 1988 that led to the death of a man. After a long legal battle he was convicted of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. He served a prison sentence decades after the original incident occurred following a ruling by the Supreme Court of India. Sidhu has since returned to the public eye as a prominent political figure.

Laura Bush

When she was a teenager the future First Lady was involved in a fatal car accident in 1963. She failed to see a stop sign and struck another vehicle which resulted in the death of a classmate. Bush was not charged in the accident and the incident was largely kept out of the public eye for many years. She later wrote about the immense guilt she felt following the tragedy in her autobiography.

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