20 Celebrity Deaths Still Under Investigation

The cases below highlight high profile deaths that have prompted follow up inquiries new leads or ongoing public scrutiny long after the initial findings were issued. Many were officially ruled accidents suicides or homicides while investigative files remained open at times or were revisited as witnesses evidence or technology changed. The entries focus on verifiable timelines official determinations and documented procedural steps such as reopenings inquests or arrests. Details here emphasize what authorities recorded and how proceedings evolved rather than speculation.

Natalie Wood

Natalie Wood died on November 29 1981 off Santa Catalina Island with the cause recorded as drowning and other undetermined factors. The case was reopened decades later after new witness statements and her manner of death was amended from accidental to undetermined. The Los Angeles County Sheriffs investigators have periodically sought additional information and interviewed persons of interest. Official records note conflicting accounts about events on the yacht and the precise circumstances in the water.

Tupac Shakur

Tupac Shakur was fatally shot in Las Vegas on September 7 1996 and died on September 13. The case remained unsolved for years while multiple task force efforts reviewed leads and ballistics. In 2023 a suspect was arrested in connection with the killing and court proceedings followed. The timeline now includes the original investigation cold case work search warrants and the current judicial track.

The Notorious B.I.G.

Christopher Wallace known as The Notorious B I G was shot and killed in Los Angeles on March 9 1997. The homicide has not resulted in a conviction and remains a high profile unsolved case. Civil litigation and document releases have outlined investigative steps including witness interviews vehicle descriptions and route analyses. Law enforcement records note parallel inquiries that examined potential links to other incidents from that period.

Princess Diana

Princess Diana died on August 31 1997 following a car crash in Paris. French and British authorities conducted extensive investigations and a later inquest in London returned a finding of unlawful killing due to negligent driving and pursuit. The Operation Paget report summarized thousands of documents and statements. The case has periodically been revisited by officials to review new material but no criminal charges have resulted from subsequent checks.

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe died on August 5 1962 in Los Angeles with an official determination of probable suicide due to acute barbiturate poisoning. Authorities compiled toxicology reports interviews and scene documentation. Over time agencies reviewed the file to assess whether any credible new evidence warranted action. The historical record reflects a closed case with occasional official reassessments of submitted claims.

Brian Jones

Rolling Stones founder Brian Jones was found dead in his swimming pool on July 3 1969 with a coroner verdict of death by misadventure. Police files documented witness accounts from the property and nearby workers. Later reviews collected additional statements and examined workload stress and substance use noted that summer. The case file has been revisited in public records requests and by officials considering late statements.

Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix died in London on September 18 1970 with the inquest recording death by misadventure related to barbiturate intoxication and inhalation of vomit. Hospital and ambulance timelines were documented in official reports. Subsequent analyses have discussed the dosage timing and care pathway between the hotel and the hospital. Authorities have acknowledged public interest while maintaining the recorded ruling.

Kurt Cobain

Kurt Cobain died in Seattle on April 5 1994 with the medical examiner ruling suicide from a shotgun wound. Police released photographs and reports in later years after renewed requests for transparency. Detectives reviewed archived evidence to confirm chain of custody and scene findings. The file remains a reference point for periodic public records updates.

Bob Crane

Actor Bob Crane was found dead in Scottsdale on June 29 1978 with blunt force head injuries and a homicide determination. Investigators documented blood evidence electronics and photographic materials from the apartment. A suspect was tried years later and acquitted leaving the case unresolved. The homicide remains open with periodic evidence reevaluation reported in public records.

George Reeves

George Reeves died in Los Angeles on June 16 1959 with the death ruled a suicide by gunshot. The investigation recorded the positions of guests in the house and the recovery of the firearm. Later reviews compared witness timelines and analyzed ballistic angles within the bedroom. The official ruling stands with archival materials cited in follow up assessments.

Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee died in Hong Kong on July 20 1973 with the coroner citing cerebral edema and an adverse reaction to medication. Medical reports tracked the sequence of symptoms from an earlier collapse to the final episode. Subsequent examinations by experts have focused on heat stress hydration and drug sensitivity models. Authorities have not issued criminal findings while medical interpretations continue to be studied.

Brandon Lee

Brandon Lee died on March 31 1993 in Wilmington North Carolina after being shot with a projectile from a prop gun on a film set. Investigators documented prop handling chain of custody and safety protocols. The case led to civil settlements and industry wide changes to on set firearm procedures. Records detail how the dummy cartridge and barrel obstruction sequence occurred.

Brittany Murphy

Brittany Murphy died in Los Angeles on December 20 2009 with the cause listed as pneumonia anemia and drug effects. The medical examiner described multi factor health stressors and household environment details were noted in city inspections. Authorities later reviewed toxicology related submissions and confirmed the original findings. The file has periodically been referenced as new claims surfaced.

David Carradine

David Carradine died in Bangkok on June 3 2009 with investigators documenting an asphyxia scenario in a hotel room. Thai authorities compiled photographs and interviews and the case information was shared with US officials. The death was not treated as a criminal homicide after review of scene evidence. Family representatives and forensic consultants examined records in later assessments.

Richey Edwards

Richey Edwards musician with Manic Street Preachers disappeared on February 1 1995 and was declared presumed dead in 2008. Police recorded sightings reports toll data and vehicle recovery near the Severn area. The case remains a missing person file with periodic tips logged. Official notices summarize property searches and bank activity checks from the early timeline.

Gram Parsons

Gram Parsons died on September 19 1973 in Joshua Tree with the cause determined as drug toxicity. Investigators documented motel evidence and later recorded the unauthorized removal of his body by acquaintances. Legal actions followed over that secondary incident leading to fines. The case is a reference in coroner files concerning controlled substance fatalities of the era.

Anna Nicole Smith

Anna Nicole Smith died in Florida on February 8 2007 with the medical examiner citing combined drug intoxication and no evidence of foul play. Police timelines include hotel staff responses prescription histories and surveillance reviews. Subsequent court proceedings addressed prescription practices and related parties. The death determination remained unchanged after those legal outcomes.

Chris Cornell

Chris Cornell died in Detroit on May 18 2017 with the medical examiner ruling suicide by hanging. Investigative documents include hotel access records security footage references and toxicology. Authorities addressed medication findings while affirming the cause and manner. The file has been revisited for transparency via public records releases.

Chester Bennington

Chester Bennington died in Palos Verdes Estates on July 20 2017 with the coroner ruling suicide by hanging. Police and coroner files detail residence access timelines and scene processing. Reports reviewed prior wellness concerns and communications. The case materials have been released in part through official records channels.

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson died in Los Angeles on June 25 2009 with the coroner determining homicide due to acute propofol intoxication. His physician was later convicted in a criminal trial related to the administration of anesthetics outside a clinical setting. The investigative record includes search warrants medical equipment inventories and expert testimony. Subsequent civil matters referenced these findings without altering the manner of death.

Share your thoughts in the comments about which cases you think still deserve fresh attention based on documented evidence and official updates.