Celebrities are often admired for their talent and fame, but sometimes the headlines reveal a much darker side. Over the years, several well-known stars have been accused of murder, either directly or indirectly. Some were convicted, some faced serious legal battles, and some were later cleared, but the allegations alone shocked the public. Here, we look at 24 celebrities whose names have been linked to murder allegations.
Aaron Hernandez
Former NFL star Aaron Hernandez was convicted of murdering Odin Lloyd in 2013 and sentenced to life without parole. He was acquitted of two other murders but tragically took his own life in 2017.
Phil Spector
Legendary music producer Phil Spector was convicted of second-degree murder in 2009 for the death of Lana Clarkson at his Los Angeles home, serving 19 years to life.
Michael Jace
Actor Michael Jace, known for The Shield, was convicted of murdering his wife April in 2014 after a violent altercation, and sentenced to 40 years to life in prison.
Joe Son
Actor and MMA fighter Joe Son killed his cellmate in prison and was convicted of voluntary manslaughter, adding 27 years to his life sentence after already serving time for felony torture.
Ryan Grantham
The former child actor killed his mother in 2020 and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. He is serving a sentence with parole eligibility in 2036.
Amy Locane
The actress killed a woman while driving drunk in 2010. Convicted of second-degree vehicular homicide and assault, she served time in New Jersey prison.
Robert Blake
Blake was acquitted in criminal court for the murder of his wife Bonny Lee Bakley but was found civilly liable for her wrongful death, paying $30 million (later reduced).
Sid Vicious
Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious was arrested for the murder of his girlfriend Nancy Spungen in 1978, though the exact circumstances remain disputed; he died of a heroin overdose before trial.
Charles S. Dutton
As a teenager, Dutton stabbed a man to death in self-defense. He was convicted of manslaughter and served time in prison before becoming a successful actor.
Don King
The boxing promoter was convicted of second-degree manslaughter for beating a man to death in 1966 and served nearly four years in prison.
William S. Burroughs
The author fatally shot his wife Joan Vollmer in 1951 during a party. He served 13 days in jail and fled to the U.S., avoiding a full trial.
Johnny Lewis
Actor Johnny Lewis allegedly killed his 81-year-old landlady in 2012 before dying in a fall the same day. Circumstances suggest a violent episode linked to prior head injuries.
Vince Neil
The Mötley Crüe frontman was convicted of vehicular manslaughter in 1984 after a DUI accident killed his friend Nicholas Dingley.
Scott Hall
Wrestler Scott Hall was charged with second-degree murder in 1983 but the charges were dropped after he claimed self-defense in a nightclub shooting.
Caitlyn Jenner
Jenner was involved in a fatal car crash in 2015, killing a woman. She was cleared of criminal charges but settled a civil lawsuit with the victim’s family.
Matthew Broderick
The actor accidentally killed two people in a 1987 car crash in Ireland. He was charged with careless driving and fined.
Alec Baldwin
While filming Rust in 2021, Baldwin accidentally killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. He was not convicted, though the set armorer was sentenced for involuntary manslaughter.
Laura Bush
As a teenager, she was behind the wheel in a crash that killed her friend Michael Dutton Douglas. No charges were filed; the incident was ruled an accident.
Ted Kennedy
The senator drove off a bridge in 1969, causing the death of Mary Jo Kopechne. He pleaded guilty to leaving the scene, though the crash raised serious negligence questions.
O.J. Simpson
Simpson was acquitted of the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman in 1995 but found civilly liable for their deaths.
Chris Benoit
Wrestler Chris Benoit killed his wife and son in 2007 before taking his own life. Motives remain speculative, linked to possible brain damage and steroid use.
Oscar Pistorius
The Paralympian was convicted of culpable homicide for shooting his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013, claiming he mistook her for an intruder.
Snoop Dogg
Charged as an accomplice in a 1993 murder, Snoop Dogg was acquitted after four months of trial, avoiding prison time despite the high-profile case.
Keith Moon
The Who drummer ran over his friend Neil Boland in 1970. The death was ruled an accident, and Moon was cleared of charges.
