Who killed Sonny Liston???

Probably Sonny Liston.

Woller

 

He quite possibly just died of natural causes. I mean, at his age and bad lifestyle, just a heart attack struck him down one day. He was well over 50 when he lost to Clay of course, possibly 60 or more when he died.

Other theories about him being killed by the mob over gambling debts or heroin dealing are impossible to verify. Could be true too. Same with the stories that he injected himself with heroin and died, could be true. It dont matter now. He's dead either way.

 

The strange and mysterious death of Charles Sonny Liston is a story who's truth may never be fully uncovered. Forensic science was nothing back in 1970 like it is today, and there seem to have been a great deal of political issues that could have led to a cover up on top of everything else...

What we DO KNOW is this:

1. He was a drug user, and had a particular liking towards pain killers.

2. He mingled in dark circles and was involved with the mafia for a good portion of his life

3. He was not a particularly well liked individual, and probably had enemies.

4. He was found dead with a needle in his arm.

What do all these things amount to? Absolutely nothing. His demise could have been the result of an accidental drug overdose, or a situation where he receieved some badly laced heroine, without his knowing it. The drugs he took could have been intentionally poisoned by a dealer who was working for someone who wanted him dead. He might have intentionally OD'd for the purpose of committing suicide.. Who knows ? One thing is for certain, drug overdoses were not uncommon in the 60's and 70's, and Liston was a 40 year old man who was not exactly living a clean life style.. I'm inclined to thinking that it was an accident.

 

I don't know, but it was a strange situation. HBO did a nice documentary on the topic, which I would like to see again. There was talk of a Sonny Liston movie. That I would really like to see.

 

the Nation of Islam

 

Okay, that comment might require some sources which I do not currently have.. Over the years however, I have heard that he did use prescription pain killers extensively.. Is this a known fact? I'm not sure, but it wouldn't surprise me. He was a boxer, and one who fought until well past his prime. To think that he might have been in physical pain on a frequent basis is not out of the question.

 

I remember something about him double crossing the Mob in the
Wepner fight.

 

Shot up by the shooter on the grassy knoll.

 

I dont think there was a needle.
I think he had needle marks on his arm, allegedly. But also he body was badly decomposed so i dont know how marks would show, but I'm no expert on corpses.

 

Do we know that for sure ?
Who said they even seen him doing heroin ?