Malikah Shabazz, Daughter Of Malcolm X, Found Dead
According to the news reports Malikah Shabazz, one of Malcolm X’s daughters, was found unresponsive in her Brooklyn home. CNN reports that Shabazz, 56, was discovered by her daughter on Monday night(November 22.) Paramedics and the NYPD were called to the scene on East 28th Street and were unable to revive Shabazz, who was pronounced dead.
The authorities said in their initial report that they do not suspect foul play and believe Ms. Shabazz passed due to natural causes. Of course, a full investigation will take place and a formal cause of death will be announced at a later date. We will keep you posted. Meanwhile, the 56-year old is one of six children of the iconic Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz.
The twins never got the opportunity to meet their father. The late Betty Shabazz was only 28-years old and pregnant with her daughters when X was assassinated at Audubon Ballroom in Manhattan in 1965. Against all odds, she would raise her six children on her own, while obtaining R.N. in nursing. Late in life, Betty would fall victim to a house fire, believed to have been set by her grandson Malcolm and died of her injuries at age 61.
Ironically, Malikah Shabazz died days after two men, originally convicted of her father's assassination were exonerated. Thursday's exoneration came after a 22-month long “re-investigation.” Judge Ellen Biben, a New York County Supreme Court Administrative granted a motion to vacate the convictions of Muhammad A. Aziz, 83, and the late Khalil Islam who died in 2009. The two spent a combined 42 years in prison.
The assassination of the legendary Civil Rights leader came after a public feud between him and the Nation of Islam founder, Elijah Muhammad. X left the Nation in 1964 when he allegedly discovered Muhammad had "8 children with 6 different teenage girls." The 2-year long investigation was conducted by the Manhattan D.A.’s Office and attorney's for the two men. The joint investigation found that the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York Police Department withheld key evidence that, would have led to their acquittal. Mujahid Abdul Halim who was also found guilty of Malcolm X's assassination still stands. He actually confessed to the murder and has maintained that Aziz and Islam were innocent.