Haunting Photos Of Celebrities Who Had Open Casket Funerals

Sam Cooke

Soul singer Sam Cooke is probably best remembered for his rendition of “A Change Is Gonna Come.” Cooke is often referred to as the King of Soul. Some music historians have even referred to him as the creator of soul music, paving the way for the likes of Aretha Franklin and Al Green. In 1964 Cooke was involved in a strange incident which ultimately took his life. The police were called to a hotel first for a kidnapping and not long after for a shooting. When police responded they found the musician’s body wearing only a sports jacket and shoes. He had been shot once in the chest by the hotel manager, Bertha Franklin. She claimed that Cooke had broken into her office and attacked her, however, others immediately cast suspicion on her story. A woman had accompanied him to the hotel but later it was revealed that she was the one who called the police about being kidnapped. However, those who had seen her and Sam leave together said she left willingly. Either way, Cooke was murdered and his last words were said to be “Lady, you shot me.” His family believes that he may have been set up because he was reportedly missing money that he had on him at the time.