Video: 'The Tragic & Mysterious Death Of Beatles' Roadie Mal Evans'
(Sunday, January 4, 1976, early evening PST) — Mal Evans, a longtime aide and road manager for the Beatles, was shot to death today by police officers who said he pointed a rifle at them during a domestic disturbance at a rented motel apartment at 8122 West 4th Street in Los Angeles.
Police said the shooting followed an hours-long episode Sunday in which Evans, 40, had grown despondent and incoherent. His girlfriend, Fran Hughes, told authorities Evans had taken Valium, was confused, and had armed himself with a Winchester rifle.
Hughes had phoned writer John Hoernie — Evans’ collaborator on his planned memoir, Living the Beatles’ Legend — asking him to come to the apartment. Hoernie later told officers Evans appeared groggy and “doped-up,” but insisted Hoernie ensure the book was finished.
Hoernie said Evans retrieved a loaded rifle during a confused conversation, prompting Hughes to call the police.
Video: 'The Incredible Story of The Beatles’ Road Manager, Mal Evans - featuring Gary Evans'
Four officers responded to the scene. Three of them — Patrolmen David D. Krempa and Robert E. Brannon, and Lt. Charles Higbie — entered an upstairs bedroom where Evans was holding the rifle. Police said Evans pointed the weapon at the officers despite repeated commands to drop it.
The officers opened fire, striking Evans four times.
Evans, once honored as an “Honorary Sheriff of Los Angeles County,” had recently been described by the Los Angeles Times as a “jobless former road manager for the Beatles.” Friends said he had struggled with depression.
Biographer Kenneth Womack later argued that Evans’ death amounted to a suicide by police, noting that Evans had written a will the night before the shooting.
Evans was a trusted companion of the Beatles throughout the 1960s, appearing with them on tours and helping with studio work. None of the former Beatles would attend his cremation, scheduled for later this week, though friends including Harry Nilsson, producer George Martin, and Apple Corps executive Neil Aspinall were expected.
George Harrison arranged financial assistance for Evans’ family, as his life-insurance coverage had lapsed.
