- - James Brown’s Death, 19 Years Later: Inside the Soul Artist’s Sudden Passing on Christmas (Including His Final Words)

Makena GeraDecember 25, 2025 at 4:00 AM

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James Brown on August 20, 2006 in San Francisco, California -

James Brown was a renowned soul artist who toured into his 70s

He was admitted to an Atlanta hospital two days before his sudden death on Dec. 25, 2006

Brown's cause of death was listed as a heart attack and fluid in his lungs, but his family and friends have contested it

The cause of James Brown’s death at age 73 has raised questions over the years.

Before he died in an Atlanta hospital on Dec. 25, 2006, the iconic musician and Godfather of Soul was active in his career into his 70s. But unbeknownst to fans, the singer's health was suffering. He was taken to the hospital two days before Christmas, where he showed signs of congestive heart failure.

While Brown officially died from natural causes, and his death certificate listed a heart attack and fluid in his lungs, per CNN, his cause of death has been called into question by multiple people who believed he had been murdered, according to a three-part CNN investigation in 2019.

Evidence was brought forward by those close to Brown, and in early 2020 Atlanta prosecutors began reviewing the case. The following year, the case was closed without action, and it was revealed that evidence had gone missing, sparking a call for an FBI investigation, per CNN. There has yet to be any conclusion to the case, and Brown’s death remains shrouded in mystery.

Here’s everything to know about the mysterious circumstances surrounding James Brown’s death.

How did James Brown die?

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James Brown performs onstage at the Paramount in New York City on February 28, 1992

According to official reports, Brown died from congestive heart failure in an Atlanta hospital in 2006.

After years of drug abuse, as well as prostate cancer and diabetes, Brown’s health was deteriorating. He was admitted to Emory Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta on Dec. 23, 2006, per The New York Times. At the time, Brown thought he had pneumonia — an incorrect theory that was falsely disseminated in the media after his death, according to the 2019 CNN investigation.

While Brown was being treated, his condition began to improve, and he even rescheduled tour dates for later that week, which he had previously canceled due to his health, per The New York Times. But in the early morning hours of Dec. 26, Brown suddenly died, and his death certificate attributed the cause to a mild heart attack and fluid in his lungs, CNN reported.

For years, Brown’s official cause of death was accepted by the public, but in recent years, nearly a dozen people have come forward claiming it was not from natural causes. They believe he was murdered, per a 2019 CNN investigation.

The outlet's story brought to light allegations of what really happened the night of Brown’s death, citing the doctor who treated Brown at the hospital before his death. Dr. Marvin Crawford — who also signed Brown’s death certificate — told the publication that the details didn't add up.

“He changed too fast,” Crawford told CNN. “He was a patient I would never have predicted would have coded ... But he died that night, and I did raise that question: What went wrong in that room?”

Crawford also told the outlet that Brown did not have pneumonia, but instead found symptoms of early congestive heart failure and signs of a mild heart attack, and Brown’s urine tested positive for cocaine.

Brown was treated for all the issues, and by 5 p.m. on Dec. 24, he was improving rapidly. “He probably could have walked out of the hospital if he had wanted,” Crawford told CNN.

But his condition began going downhill, and he didn't recover.

After the outlet's investigation, Brown’s death was reviewed by Atlanta prosecutors in 2020 and later closed without action in 2021.

When did James Brown die?

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James Brown on stage at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana on April 23, 1988

Brown died on Dec. 25, 2006, at 1:45 a.m.

Two days after his admission to the hospital for what Brown presumed was pneumonia, he showed improvement before dying in the early morning hours.

Just before his death, Brown was preparing to begin a tour in December — dates which were postponed due to his illness — and record three new songs in January (including a song with Aretha Franklin written by John Legend), per CNN.

Before his health took a turn for the worse on the night of Dec. 24, Brown was given his doctor’s approval to perform in New Jersey that upcoming weekend, and another on New Year’s Eve at B.B. King’s nightclub in New York, per The New York Times.

Where did James Brown die?

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James Brown and The Flames at in New York City in 1959

Brown died in Emory Crawford Long Hospital in his hometown of Atlanta.

At the time of his death, only one person was with him in the hospital: his personal manager, Charles Bobbit, per CNN. Bobbit said that Brown claimed his chest was on fire just before he died.

How old was James Brown when he died?

Brown was 73 years old at the time of his death.

How did the public react to James Brown's death?

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James Brown's memorial service at the Apollo Theatre on December 28, 2006 in New York City

Brown had multiple funeral services, both public and private.

First, three days after his death on Dec. 28, 2006, Brown’s body was laid in the Apollo Theater on stage in New York City for the public to visit, per The Augusta Chronicle.

The length of mourners waiting to see Brown’s casket stretched five city blocks, and the following day, Brown’s family held a private funeral at the church of Brown’s daughter, Deanne Brown Thomas, in North Augusta, Ga.

On Dec. 30, 2006, Augusta — Brown’s hometown — honored him with a “day of mourning,” declared by the mayor, and the largest funeral in the city’s history — reportedly costing the city $48,000, per The Augusta Chronicle.

Nearly 9,000 people were in attendance at the funeral service, a four-hour ceremony held at the James Brown Arena, which included performances by Brown’s band, the Soul Generals, a dance by MC Hammer and a speech from Michael Jackson. Afterward, 20,000 mourners filtered in to see Brown’s body in a gold-plated coffin.

Following another private ceremony for Brown’s family, his body was moved to his daughter Deanna’s Beech Island home, where it was later stored in an above-ground crypt.

What kind of legacy did James Brown leave behind?

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James Brown performing at the Newport Jazz Festival, circa 1968

The Godfather of Soul’s legacy in the music industry lives up to his name.

As one of the most influential Black figures, Brown continues to be one of the most successful and honored artists. He has inspired others, with modern rap and hip-hop stars still sampling his work.

Brown was one of the first 10 musicians inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, and given a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992, among other accolades. He was also posthumously inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2017.

Brown’s social activism lives on as well. His 1968 song “Say It Loud — I’m Black and I’m Proud” became the unofficial anthem of the Black Power movement, per WGBH. Through his music, Brown was a symbol of Black equality, pride and self-acceptance.

While Brown left a mark on the music industry, his memory is also marred by a bitter estate battle with his family and lingering allegations of violence.

Since his death, several movies and documentaries have been created about Brown, including Get on Up, a 2014 biopic starring Chadwick Boseman as Brown. The 2024 two-part documentary series James Brown: Say It Loud also included revelations about Brown’s career and personal life.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”