“Shocking Secrets Behind 15 Celebrity Assassinations That Shook Hollywood to Its Core”

Marred by conflicting accounts, the circumstances leading to his death remain unclear. It’s known that he was shot by the manager of the Hacienda Motel in Los Angeles, California. 

The manager, Bertha Franklin, said she shot the singer in self-defense. Cooke had allegedly brought a woman, Elisa Boyer, against her will to the motel to have an intimate encounter. 

According to Boyer, the singer attempted to r*pe her and managed to escape from the room after the singer went to use the bathroom. She left the motel after alerting the manager of what had transpired.

Boyer’s testimony was instrumental in the Los Angeles Police Department ruling Cooke’s death a justifiable homicide, with no charges being brought against the motel owner.