Ask Jacky… What’s the Real Story Behind Sam Cooke’s Death?

Ask Jacky

Hey Jacky,

I really love your site!

I was wondering if you have anything else on Sam Cooke death?

Thanks,
Paul

Sam Cookedied on December 11, 1964.

There are conflicting accounts regarding the death of Sam Cooke. Los Angeles police however ruled it justifiable homicide. Not unlike today though, Los Angeles PD were known to be overtly racist when investigating crimes against African Americans doing little to no real work in investigation.

Ike Turner was the first person to tell me the real story, which I have since confirmed with other sources including several within the LAPD who all told very similar (although not identical) stories.

On the night of December 11, 1964, Sam had withdrawn a considerable amount of cash, reportedly to buy Christmas presents. At Cooke’s request the manager of the Hacienda Motel in South Central, where he was staying in, Bertha Franklin (who had shot and killed a man six months earlier at the same place), made arrangements with a local prostitute named Elisa Boyer who was 22-years old, to scoop Sam at a local bar and bring him back to his motel. As he and Boyer entered the room Sam was hit from behind and knocked unconscious.

Elisa Boyer took Sam’s money and met Bertha in the motel office.

Sam soon awoke disoriented and without most of his clothes and belongings. Cooke headed towards the motel office and saw through the office window, the prostitute and motel manager counting his money He demanded his stuff be returned and when they didn’t open the door, Cooke banged until the door fell off its hinges. When Cooke regained himself the hotel manager Bertha Franklin shot him and told Boyer to run and call police from a phone booth. Boyer told the police a phony story about a rape and fled the scene.

Sam was dead when the police arrived and, since the whore had stolen his wallet, they had no idea who it was and took it as a routine justified homicide in the ghetto.

The coroner’s inquest should have been a slam-dunk, but not one pertinent question was asked by an investigator, now with a background check made that would have revealed Bertha Franklin’s deadly past. The authorities simply took her made-up story as “gospel”.

Sam’s murder was chalked up as just another unidentified “rapist” killed in Watts. It wasn’t until the following Monday morning that a reporter found out Sam Cooke was signed in to the motel registry as himself and that one of the world’s greatest talents and a true human being was dead, under shady circumstances that might never be covered by the media.

 

9 COMMENTS

  1. So it wasn’t Sam Cooke’s fault; it was the fucking whore’s fault. Sam ultimately did nothing wrong; a lunatic killed him.

  2. Sam Cooke was the key figure in entertainment regarding the Civil Rights Movement. Even Ali recognized him as a mentor (See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rrumzsa06v8 ). He could’ve been assassinated. The cheap hotel, Ferrari parked outside, the Chinese prostitute going by two different aliases, the failure to check for drugs in the court case, and two women Shanghaing this man is out of his character and dubious.

  3. This was an unecessary murder. Both of those women had/has to answer to God. In addition to anyone else that was involved.
    Vengance is mine thus saith the Lord!!

  4. Vengeance is mine thus saith the LORD GOD JEHOVAH. I TRULY HOPE THAT THE CHINESE PROSTITUTE AND BERTHA FRANKLIN, MOTEL MANAGER GET THEIR KARMA REALLY HARD IF THEY HAVE NOT ALREADY GOTTEN IT IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD. JUSTICE OF THE WORST KIND FOR THESE TWO HORRIBLE WOMAN. WAS AND STILL STILL ONE OF MY FAVORITE SINGER!!!!!??????????

  5. That could be True…But why did Sam have two Broken Hands and was all beaten up???
    There has to be more to it….He was going to Fire the Guy who now owns the rights to all his Music?????

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