LAPD Apologizes to B.I.G.'s Family for 'Prematurely' Releasing Rapper's Autopsy
The LAPD apologized to B.I.G.'s family after they released the late rapper's autopsy to the public. Initially, the Los Angeles police organization intended for the autopsy to stimulate interest in the case, but "prematurely" released the information before asking B.I.G.'s family.
The LAPD called the autopsy release of Notorious B.I.G.- Christopher Wallace was his given name-an "administrative error." The 23-page report detailed how the rapper was killed: a "shot that entered his right hip before slicing through his colon, liver, heart and part of his lung before wedging in his left shoulder area." They later apologized for making the report public, however.
"Due to an administrative error, the autopsy report was released prematurely. Robbery-Homicide Division detectives had intended to notify Mr. Wallace's family prior to releasing the report," LAPD Capt. Billy Hayes, who leads the Robbery-Homicide Division, said in a statement. "Our detectives personally spoke with the Wallace family [Friday] night, and apologized for not notifying them prior to the release."
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It is widely known that the popular hip-hop artist was brutally gunned down March 9, 1997, the murder was never solved, and the perpetrator-reportedly an African-American man in a blue suit and bow tie- was never caught. The Wallace family felt that the release of clues instead of the autopsy would have been more helpful to the case.
"What legitimate lead could be stimulated by releasing an autopsy that says 'Mr. Wallace was shot,' when everyone knows that? Why don't they release some of the clues they have?" Perry Sanders Jr., the family's attorney, told The Los Angeles Times. "The family has been advised by the ex lead detective that the case has been solved for several years."
"If that is true, the family wants to know why an arrest has not been made," Sanders added.
Various conspiracy theories also blame others for the killing of Notorious B.I.G., like music mogul Suge Knight or a corrupt LAPD officer. Regardless, there is little hope now that the cold case will ever be solved.
