Los Angeles — Actor John Amos, famed for his roles in 1970s television hits like “Good Times” and “Roots,” passed away on August 21 from congestive heart failure at age 84. However, the aftermath of his death has sparked a complex family dispute over his care and the circumstances leading up to his passing. His daughter, Shannon Amos, has sought legal counsel to delve into these concerns, pointing to a deeper familial rift involving her brother, K.C. Amos.
According to Shannon, who is one of the co-trustees of John’s estate, she and several family members were unaware of the actor’s death until it made headlines, a revelation that stirred controversy among those close to him. Her brother, K.C., defended his actions by stating it was their father’s wish to keep his passing private initially.
This family feud is not a new scenario. It traces back to disagreements over the care and estate of their mother, Noel Mickelson, who died in 2016. Despite a brief reconciliation, Shannon claims that her brother’s alleged addiction and financial mismanagement issues led to their parting ways in August 2020. Since then, she contends that her father was increasingly isolated, a point of contention that K.C. vehemently denies.
Shannon further reiterated her concerns by attempting to gain access to John’s medical records from Centinela Hospital Medical Center without success. The hospital, bound by patient privacy laws, has not commented on the matter. In response, Shannon enlisted James H. Davis III, an attorney, to investigate. Davis expressed a commitment to uncovering “the full circumstances surrounding Mr. Amos’ care and the events that led to his passing.”
Amid these internal conflicts, Shannon also claimed that her father was the victim of elder abuse and opened a GoFundMe to support his care and legal costs. However, the fundraising effort was short-lived as GoFundMe removed the page following a review, asserting John wished to decline the fundraising efforts on his behalf.
Further complicating matters, allegations of elder abuse against John Amos led to an investigation by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the Custer County Sheriff’s Office. Though evidence was collected, the district attorney did not proceed with charges. K.C. Amos, in a public statement, firmly denied any form of abuse against his father.
The family disputes have spiraled to include legal threats and claims of harassment. In July 2023, Shannon reported to the West Orange Police Department in New Jersey that her brother had threatened her life. Though the police filed a complaint, the judiciary spokesperson, Marta Estrella, later reported that no charges were filed and the case was closed in December.
As the family continues to grapple with these issues publically, the true complexity of John Amos’ final days remains enshrouded in familial discord and legal ambiguities. Shannon maintains that her actions are in defense of her father’s welfare, a claim juxtaposed sharply against her brother’s assertions of fidelity to their father’s wishes.
This article is automatically generated by OpenAI. The people, facts, circumstances, and story details mentioned may not be accurate. For corrections, retractions, or to request article removal, please email contact@publiclawlibrary.org.