Allegations that B.B. King was poisoned are "unsupported in reality," an attorney said Tuesday in response to claims by two of the late blues legend's daughters.
A judge has said two investigations found no evidence that King — who died May 14 in Las Vegas at age 89 — was mistreated or abused. But two of his 11 surviving children, Karen Williams and Patty King, allege that his longtime business agent, La Verne Toney, raided his wealth and hastened his death by poisoning him, according to affidavits obtained by The Associated Press.
Clark County Coroner John Fudenberg, who examined King's body after the claims came to light, said Monday that there was no evidence "that these allegations of foul play will be substantiated."
E. Brent Bryson, King's attorney, said in a strongly worded statement Tuesday that the allegations were "baseless and unfounded and are unsupported in reality."
King was evaluated by three independent doctors in the days before he died, said Bryson, who quoted all three doctors as saying that King was near death and that nothing could be done for him.
"Unfortunately even musical icons die," Bryson said. "Ms. Toney did everything she could to carry out the wishes of Mr. King while he was alive, and continues to carry out Mr. King's wishes after his death."
Toney, who is named as executor in King's will, has said she has no plans to immediately respond to the allegations.
IN-DEPTH
- B.B. King Dies at 89: Music World Mourns 'King of Blues'
- B.B. King Remembered by Family and Friends at Memorial
— M. Alex Johnson