BB King death: Post-mortem confirms 'poison' claims untrue and singer died of natural causes

Alzheimer's, heart failure and diabetes all contributed to singer's death

BB King (Getty)

A post-mortem examination on late blues legend BB King has confirmed that he was not poisoned despite allegations from his family.

Tests were ordered by King’s daughters Karen Williams and Patty King after the 89-year-old died in May.

They claimed their father’s business manager, LaVerne Toney, and his personal assistant, Myron Johnson, hastened the death.

King even claimed in an affidavit that she saw two drops of an unknown substance placed on the tongue of her father.

But the tests confirmed that the cause of the singer’s death was Alzheimer’s disease, plus physical conditions including coronary disease, heart failure and the effects of Type 2 Diabetes, Clark County Coroner John Fudenberg told The Associated Press.

“At this point we can say with confidence that Mr. King died of natural causes,” Fudenberg added.

“Our condolences go out to the family and many friends of Mr. King, and we hope this determination brings them some measure of closure.”

In a statement from King’s estate, lawyer Brent Bryson said they were satisfied with the news.

“Ms. Toney and Mr. Johnson are very happy that these false and fictional allegations that were made against them by certain of Mr. King's children have been dispelled,“ he said. ”Hopefully we can now focus on the body of musical work that B.B. King left the world, and he can finally rest in peace.“

The allegations emerged shortly after the singer’s death and drew considerable press attention, as Williams and King led a group of his remaining children and grandchildren in a bit to wrestle guardianship and oversight of the King estate from Toney. They were ultimately unsuccessful.

These findings conclude official investigation’s into King’s death.

The guitarist and song-writer died on May 14 while under hospice care at home in Las Vegas at the age of 89. No family members were present.