Imprisoned R&B singer R. Kelly has been rushed to hospital after reportedly collapsing due to an alleged overdose administered by prison staff, raising serious questions about his safety behind bars.
Kelly, 58, who is currently serving a 30-year sentence for sex trafficking and racketeering, was allegedly given a near-fatal dose of medication while being held in solitary confinement at a correctional facility in North Carolina.
His lawyers are now accusing prison officials of intentionally endangering his life, claiming the overdose was deliberate.
“This was not an accident,” his attorney said. “We believe this was a calculated act to harm Mr. Kelly while he was vulnerable and isolated.”
Kelly had been placed in solitary on Tuesday, June 10, just days before the medical emergency. Doctors who examined him have confirmed that he received a dose of medication strong enough to be life-threatening, and have since kept him under close observation.
His legal team also revealed that Kelly has gone days without eating, fearing intentional poisoning by prison staff. While hospitalized, doctors reportedly discovered blood clots in both his legs and lungs, adding to growing concerns over his health.
The U.S. Bureau of Prisons has not issued a formal statement, but the allegations are likely to intensify scrutiny over how high-profile inmates are treated in federal custody.
R. Kelly, once one of the most influential figures in R&B, was convicted in 2021 on multiple charges, including sexual exploitation of minors, kidnapping, and forced labor, following decades of accusations and investigations.
As he continues to serve his sentence, his legal team has vowed to demand a full investigation into the incident, saying Kelly’s life “is clearly at risk.”
