Ron Newt, also known as Mr. X, was a self-described former pimp, drug kingpin, and music mogul who claimed that the hit TV show Empire was based on his life. He died on March 11, 2019, at the age of 69, leaving behind a legacy of controversy and intrigue. But what was the cause of his death, and was there any foul play involved?
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A Life of Crime and Music
Ron Newt was born in San Francisco in 1950, and grew up in the notorious Fillmore district. He said he started pimping at the age of 12, and later became involved in drug trafficking and gang violence. He claimed to have survived 11 shootings, and spent time in prison for various offenses.
However, he also had a passion for music, and managed his three sons’ group, The Newtrons, who were discovered by Diana Ross in the early 1980s. The Newtrons had some success with their songs, and became close friends with the Jackson family, especially Michael Jackson. Ron Newt said he was one of the few people who knew the truth about Jackson’s personal life, and defended him against the allegations of child abuse.
A Lawsuit Against Empire
In 2015, Ron Newt filed a lawsuit against the creators of Empire, Lee Daniels and Danny Strong, as well as Fox and Terrence Howard, who played the main character, Lucious Lyon. Newt claimed that the show was based on his autobiography, All That Glitters Is Not Gold: The Music, The Magic, The Madness, which he published in 2014. He said he met with Terrence Howard in 2010, and gave him a copy of his book and a DVD of his documentary, Bigger Than Big, which chronicled his life story. He alleged that Howard and the others stole his ideas and characters, and sought $1 billion in damages.
However, the lawsuit was dismissed in 2016, after a judge ruled that there was no substantial similarity between Newt’s work and Empire. The judge said that the show was a fictional drama, while Newt’s book and documentary were factual accounts of his life. The judge also said that the themes and elements of the show, such as family, music, crime, and betrayal, were common and not original to Newt.
A Mysterious Death
Ron Newt died on March 11, 2019, at his home in San Francisco. The cause of death was listed as “Unknown” by the coroner, and no further details were released. Some sources speculated that he might have died of natural causes, while others suggested that he might have been killed by someone who wanted to silence him.
His death came just days before he was supposed to reveal some explosive secrets about Joe Jackson, the father of Michael Jackson. Newt claimed that he was Joe Jackson’s cousin, and that he was offered $200,000 by Jackson to kill his son-in-law, Jack Gordon, who was married to La Toya Jackson. Newt said he refused the offer, and that he had proof of the conversation. He said he was going to expose the truth in a documentary called The Man Behind the Dance.
His death also coincided with a fatal shooting that happened outside the Fillmore Heritage Center, where his funeral reception was held on March 23, 2019. The shooting left one person dead and five others injured, and was reportedly unrelated to Newt’s funeral. However, some people questioned the timing of the shooting, and wondered if it had anything to do with Newt’s past or present enemies.
A Controversial Legacy
Ron Newt left behind a controversial legacy, as a man who lived a life of crime and music, and who claimed to have a connection to some of the most famous and infamous figures in the entertainment industry. He was a colorful and charismatic character, who had many stories to tell, but also many secrets to keep. His cause of death remains a mystery, and his lawsuit against Empire remains unresolved. He was a man who said that all that glitters is not gold, but who also sought to shine in the spotlight.
