B.B. King’s Family Claims Death Was Caused From Poisoning, Neglect by Longtime Manager

Attorney Larissa Drohobyczer tells TheWrap there is sufficient evidence to open investigation

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The family of blues guitarist and singer B.B. King are alleging that the 89-year-old icon died of poisoning or insufficient medical attention not of natural causes as original May 14 media reports claimed.

TheWrap spoke on Monday with his children’s lawyer Larissa Drohobyczer, who said she represents King’s two daughters as well as extended family. Because King is survived by many children and granchildren, Drohobyczer was selected to speak on behalf of the entire family.

“The family is structured… Mr. King had so many living children and grandchildren and he elected five to be members of the board and to operate a board, so I represent the members of the board who speak on behalf of all the children and grandchildren,” she said.

According to Drohobyczer, the family is convinced that King’s longtime manager and closet aide LaVerne Toney is to blame for his passing.

“[The children] said he was poisoned or his cause of his death was attributed to LaVerne Toney’s lack of attention to his medical care,” Drohobyczer told TheWrap.

She also revealed that the family gave her evidence drafted in affidavits to the court that are sufficient to open up an investigation. The coroner report will not be released for eight weeks.

The family lost a court battle to seize control of King’s affairs from Toney earlier this month before he passed. King’s children accused his manager of stealing his money and neglecting his medical care, which Toney denies.

For the time being, King’s memorial continues.

“The body was taken back to the original funeral home in Las Vegas and is probably, right now, in transport to Mississippi for the next memorial ceremony, the final memorial service,” she said.

Laverne Toney’s lawyer Brent Bryson has not yet responded to TheWrap’s request for comment.

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