Mickey Cohen was one of the most notorious gangsters in American history, who rose to power in Los Angeles during the mid-20th century. He was involved in various criminal activities, such as gambling, extortion, racketeering, and murder. He was also a boxer, a businessman, and a celebrity, who mingled with Hollywood stars and politicians. But how did Mickey Cohen die? And what was his legacy in the city he ruled?
The Rise and Fall of Mickey Cohen
Mickey Cohen was born in New York in 1913 to Jewish immigrants from Kiev. He moved to Los Angeles with his family when he was a child, and soon got involved in petty crimes. He became a professional boxer in his teens, and later joined the Chicago Outfit, working under Al Capone. He returned to Los Angeles in 1939, and became an enforcer for Bugsy Siegel, the leader of the West Coast branch of the Jewish mob. After Siegel was killed in 1947, Cohen took over his gambling empire, and expanded his influence in the city. He bribed and intimidated police, judges, and politicians, and fought off rival gangs, such as the Italian-American Mafia and the Dragna crime family. He also made headlines for his lavish lifestyle, his flamboyant personality, and his numerous legal troubles. He was arrested and tried several times, but often escaped conviction or received light sentences. He was, however, convicted of tax evasion twice, and spent a total of 14 years in federal prison.
Mickey Cohen’s Cause of Death
Mickey Cohen’s life of crime took a toll on his health and safety. He survived several assassination attempts, but was severely injured in some of them. He was also beaten by a fellow inmate in 1963, which left him partially paralyzed and with a fractured skull. He sued the government for the attack, and won a settlement, but the IRS seized the money for back taxes. He was released from prison in 1972, and wrote a memoir titled “In My Own Words”. He also became involved in the kidnapping of Patty Hearst, the heiress of a newspaper empire, who was abducted by a radical group called the Symbionese Liberation Army. Cohen offered to negotiate with the kidnappers, but his offer was rejected. He died in his sleep from complications of stomach cancer on July 29, 1976, in Los Angeles, according to Biography. He was 62 years old. He was buried at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery, in Culver City, California.
Mickey Cohen’s Legacy
Mickey Cohen was one of the most influential and controversial figures in Los Angeles history. He shaped the city’s underworld, and left a mark on its culture and politics. He was also a symbol of the rise and fall of the American gangster, who lived by his own rules and defied the law. He was portrayed in several books, movies, and TV shows, such as “L.A. Confidential”, “Gangster Squad”, and “The Offer”. He was also the subject of documentaries, such as “Mickey Cohen: The Gangster Squad”, and “Mickey Cohen: The Life and Crimes of L.A.’s Notorious Mobster”. He remains a fascinating and notorious character, who epitomized the dark side of the City of Angels.