Russell Poole, the LAPD detective who investigated the 1997 shooting death of rapper Biggie Smalls reportedly died of a heart attack while conducting an interview with an L.A. County’s Sheriff’s captain regarding Biggie’s murder.
TMZ reports Poole was interviewing the captain when he clutched his chest, said “I think I’m having a heart attack,” and then bent over and breathed his final breath.
Law enforcement sources say 58-year-old Poole made it known he believed the LAPD wanted him dead.
At this point there’s no evidence of foul play, and there is reportedly proof that Poole suffered from chronic high blood pressure.
The L.A. County Coroner’s Office has conducted an autopsy and are awaiting toxicology results.
Rapper Busta Rhymes recently reacted to news of Poole’s death in a post to Instagram.
Busta expressed his gratitude to Poole for dedicating his life to trying to solve B.IG.’s death.
He then went on to describe Poole’s death as “strange.”
RIP Detective Russell Poole!! Thank u 4 dedicating your life to trying to solve B.I.G.’s death. Coincidentally he dies after meeting with the police about the cold case of Biggie’s death and strangely collapse’s shortly after and was unresponsive and was pronounced dead when he arrived at the hospital. Ain’t this some shit? RIP B.I.G.