How did Marvin Gaye die? Inside the late soul music legend's tragic death

27 March 2024, 14:30

Marvin Gaye was a singular talent.

Few artists can attest to having the same kind of lasting impact that Marvin Gaye has had on popular music.

His involvement in Motown Records during the 1960s was key in establishing their sound and the series of acts the label produced, first as a session performer and later as the leading man himself.

With timeless hits like 'How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)' and 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine', Gaye helped propel Berry Gordy's hit-making machine of a record label to chart success.

As he progressed as an artist through the following decades, it was Marvin's blend of social commentary and swooning balladry that set his stall as a one-of-a-kind star, becoming a bonafide legend of soul music in the process.

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Surviving numerous highs and lows throughout his career such as drug addiction, divorce, and critical lashings for a handful of albums, he made his comeback in 1982 with arguably his most enduring hit, 'Sexual Healing'.

Though the album it featured on, Midnight Love, would be his last. Only two years later, Marvin Gaye was murdered in one of music's most shocking series of events.

So what happened? When did Marvin Gaye die? Who murdered him? Here's all you need to know.

When did Marvin Gaye die?

Marvin Gaye was pronounced dead on 1st April 1984 after an altercation at his family home in the West Adams neighbourhood of Western Heights, Los Angeles.

Due to the timing of his death, the public reception of the news was that it was a hoax, given it occurred on April Fool's Day.

After Marvin's resurgence with Midnight Love - revitalised after a self-imposed exile in the coastal Belgian town of Ostend - his fans believed he was entering a prosperous new era.

The reality of Gaye's situation though, was that to cope with the pressures of touring, he had relapsed into cocaine abuse once again.

His mental state deteriorated to such a degree, that he'd wear a bulletproof vest at all times he wasn't on stage, fearing an assassination attempt on his life.

Once the Sexual Healing Tour - which would be his last - came to its conclusion, Gaye moved into his family home to care for his mother who was recovering from kidney surgery.

During his stay, Marvin's father was away, however, he later returned and the pair's fractious relationship would become fatal.

Who killed Marvin Gaye?

Marvin Gaye was murdered by his father, Marvin Gay Sr. After an altercation between the father and son, Gay Sr. shot Marvin twice with a Smith & Wesson .38 Special pistol, with one bullet piercing his heart.

Ironically, the pistol was a gift from his son that previous Christmas Day, one that would sadly take away his life.

Gaye's relationship with his father had been bitter from his childhood. A strict Christian minister who punished his children, Gaye would even be bullied as a child due to rumours spread through his community of his father being a cross-dresser.

Gay Sr. never approved of Marvin's career as a musician, and resented him becoming the family's breadwinner.

He later said that "living with Father was like living with a king, an all-cruel, changeable, cruel and all-powerful king".

Tensions between the two boiled over during Marvin's stay at the family home, and heated quarrels were frequent during the six months they lived under the same roof between 1983 and 1984.

With Marvin's own mental state in tatters, he reportedly talked of suicide and death continuously, though wanted nothing more than to patch things up with his dad, telling one friend: "After all, I have just one father. I want to make peace with him."

Gay Sr. felt differently, telling Marvin's sister Jeanne that if the singer ever touched him, he'd "kill him". Sadly, it became a reality.

Why did Marvin Gaye’s father shoot him?

Days before his death, Marvin's parents over an insurance policy taken out on their previous residence. The argument soon spread.

Marvin was angered by his father's behaviour towards his mother, so shouted at his father to leave her alone.

The argument continued, with Gay Sr. charging upstairs to continue berating his mother, Alberta, which made Marvin jump out of his bed to restrain his father.

Marvin shoved his father out of the room, kicking and punching him in a frenzy. Alberta later recalled: "Marvin hit him. I shouted for him to stop, but he paid no attention to me. He gave my husband some hard kicks."

Incensed, Gay Sr. returned upstairs with the pistol his son bought him, and shot Marvin directly in the heart.

"I was standing about eight feet away from Marvin, when my husband came to the door of the bedroom with his pistol," said Alberta.

"My husband didn't say anything, he just pointed the gun at Marvin. I screamed but it was very quick. He, my husband, shot – and Marvin screamed. I tried to run. Marvin slid down to the floor after the first shot."

What happened to Marvin Gay Sr. after he shot his son?

Marvin Gay Sr. was quoted at the time he killed his son in the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, saying: "I didn't mean to do it."

Appearing in court for the murder trial, he tearfully said: "If I could bring him back, I would. I was afraid of him. I thought I was going to get hurt."

"I didn't know what was going to happen. I'm really sorry for everything that happened. I loved him. I wish he could step through this door right now. I'm paying the price now."

Due to the amount of drugs in Marvin's system at the time of their altercation, and the bruises suffered by Gay Sr., he was granted a plea bargain, avoiding a murder charge after pleading no contest to a voluntary manslaughter charge on 20th September 1984.

On 2nd November 1984, Judge Gordon Ringer sentenced Gay Sr. to a six-year suspended sentence and five years of probation.

His estranged wife Alberta filed for divorce during the trial, and health issues forced Gay Sr. to move into a nursing home soon after.

He died of pneumonia on 10th October 1998, nine days after his 84th birthday.

What was the reaction Marvin Gaye's death?

Only days after his death, a funeral was held for Marvin Gaye on 5th April 1984 with over ten thousand mourners attending.

Stevie Wonder performed 'Lighting Up The Candles' at the star-studded funeral, with Smokey Robinson delivering a eulogy along with Gaye's family members.

The outpouring of grief from his peers emphasised the tragedy of his loss. Smokey said his "innards wouldn't accept the news" after hearing the announcement of Marvin's death on the radio.

The Temptations' Otis Williams - a fellow Motown Records performer - recalled receiving the news whilst touring Australia with the Four Tops: "It was a very dark day that I will never forget as the day I lost a friend."

Jermaine Jackson recalled crying uncontrollably after learning of Marvin's death, and Diana Ross later released the tribute song 'Missing You' which featured live footage of Gaye in the accompanying music video.

Rightly so, the killing of Marvin Gaye was and still is widely regarded as one of the most shocking moments in popular music history.