MurderUnsolved
The Death of Sam Cooke
Los Angeles, California, United StatesDecember 11, 1964
On December 11, 1964, soul legend Sam Cooke was shot and killed by the manager of a Los Angeles motel. The manager claimed self-defense after Cooke allegedly burst into her office in a violent state. The death was ruled justifiable homicide, but many of Cooke's family and friends believed the circumstances were suspicious and the investigation was inadequate.