Throwback Thursday with Brooklyn Tea Talk about the mysterious passing of the iconic artists of Michael Jackson, James Brown, and Prince.

The deaths all had elements of mystery, controversy, and unanswered questions. Each of these legendary artists passed away under circumstances that sparked investigations, conspiracy theories, and ongoing debates.

MICHAEL JACKSON (1958–2009)

Michael Jackson was preparing for his “This Is It” comeback tour when he was found unresponsive at his Holmby Hills mansion in Los Angeles. His personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, admitted to administering propofol, a powerful anesthetic, to help Jackson sleep.

Propofol is not meant for home use, and Murray’s actions were deemed reckless. He was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2011 and sentenced to four years in prison (served about two years).

• Cause of Death: Acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication

Some speculate Jackson was pressured into doing the This Is It tour and was physically unprepared for it, while others question if higher-ups in the music industry played a role in his death to control his estate and lucrative music catalog including his own sister Latoya Jackson.

James Brown (1933–2006)

Brown was admitted to Emory Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, complaining of severe pneumonia. According to his personal manager, Charles Bobbit, Brown’s condition worsened suddenly, and he died unexpectedly.

Almost immediately, suspicions arose due to the rapid decline in his health and claims from family members and close associates that Brown may have been poisoned. In 2019, CNN reported that at least 13 people, including his ex-wife and a doctor, believed Brown was murdered.

Dr. Marvin Crawford, who signed Brown’s death certificate, later stated he thought foul play was involved, saying, “He changed too fast. He was a patient I would have never expected to die that quickly.” Brown’s daughter Yamma Brown also expressed doubts, and there have been calls to exhume his body for further investigation.

Prince (1958–2016)

Prince was found unresponsive in an elevator at his Paisley Park estate in Chanhassen, Minnesota. An autopsy later revealed he had extremely high levels of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 times stronger than heroin.

Prince reportedly believed he was taking Vicodin, but the pills were actually counterfeit and laced with fentanyl. Authorities conducted an extensive investigation but no one was charged for providing the lethal pills.

Prince had a deep distrust of doctors and hospitals, yet he had powerful opioids in his system—who supplied them? Some fans and insiders speculate that his music catalog and financial independence made him a target.

In the weeks leading up to his death, Prince had health scares, including an emergency plane landing due to an opioid overdose just days prior.