Brian Jones, a founding member of The Rolling Stones, was found lifeless at the bottom of his pool in 1969. Although his death was ruled an accident, several people remain convinced it was murder, including his daughter Barbara Marion.
On July 3, 1969, Brian Jones, † 27, was found floating face down in the pool at his property, Cotchford Farm in East Sussex, United Kingdom. In addition to his partner at the time, the Swedish dancer Anna Wohlin, 77, three other people are said to have been on the property of the “Rolling Stones” founder. According to “Mirror”, the autopsy report at the time showed that it was an accidental death by drowning. However, Jones’ daughter Barbara doesn’t believe in mishaps. She is certain that her father was murdered. But first, let’s take a look at the life of the rock musician.
The eventful life of Brian Jones († 27)
In 1962, the guitarist met Mick Jagger, 79, and Keith Richards, 79, with whom he founded the “Rolling Stones”. Jones was not only the band leader in the years to come, but quickly became the group’s superstar. His looks and charisma have made him popular with women – the musician has six children by six different women – but also in the celebrity world. Among other things, Brian is said to have spent a lot of time with pop art icon Andy Warhol, † 58.
The “Rolling Stones” in 1964, left to right: Mick Jagger, Bill Wyman, Brian Jones, Keith Richards and Charlie Watts
© empics / Picture Alliance
But the enormous fame in Brian’s case culminated in an excessive lifestyle. His drug and alcohol consumption increased steadily and he had to be hospitalized several times. In addition to his health, his involvement with the “Rolling Stones” also suffered from the lifestyle of the multi-instrumentalist. The band had to perform more and more often without him, and even had to cancel concerts. In 1967, the guitarist was tried for drug possession and was initially sentenced to one year in prison, but the sentence was later changed to three years’ probation on appeal. All of this weighed heavily on the relationship between Jones and the rest of the band members.
Brian Jones (†) before the London High Court 1967
© Central Press / Getty Images
The fact that actress Anita Pallenberg, †75, began dating Keith Richards immediately after her split from Brian Jones is said to have only increased the guitarist’s estrangement from his band. Since tours had not been possible for a long time due to Jones’ condition, the group finally pulled the ripcord. On June 8, 1969, Jagger, Richards and drummer Charlie Watts, † 80, reportedly informed him that he was no longer part of the band. Brian Jones died less than four weeks after his sacking.
The death of the “Rolling Stones” founder still raises questions
On the evening of July 2, 1969, Brian Jones was staying with his then-partner Anna Wohlin at Cotchford Farm, previously owned by “Winnie the Pooh” creator AA Milne. According to the police report, road manager Tom Keylock, † 83, his girlfriend Janet Lawson and contractor Frank Thorogood, who had previously carried out work on Jones’ house, were also present. From here it is not known what exactly happened. Because as was worked up in an episode of the documentary series “The Curious Life & Death of…” 2020, the statements of the people present on the farm have contradicted and changed in each case. In addition, the police investigation was not sufficient.
Anna Wohlin and Frank Thorogood on their way to questioning Jones’ death on July 7, 1969
© Staff / Daily Mirror / Getty Images
One thing is certain: Brian Jones died on the night of July 3rd, which tragically made him part of the so-called “Club 27”. “Drowning under the influence of alcohol and drugs,” the coroner determined, according to “Mirror,” as the cause of death. But author Terry Rawlings, †85, who later wrote the book “Brian Jones: Who Killed Christopher Robin?” brought out, did not believe in an accident. Just as little as journalist Scott Jones, who researched intensively for years and tried in 2010 to reopen the investigation into the death of the guitarist – unfortunately without success.
Did Frank Thorogood confess to the murder?
The most common theory surrounding Brian Jones’ mysterious death is that contractor Frank Thorogood murdered or negligently killed the musician. The reason: Jones is said to have fired Thorogood shortly before July 2nd, the latter still demanded money from the ex-“Rolling Stones” member, and there was a dispute. So there is a motive. The documentary “Rolling Stone: Life and Death of Brian Jones” from 2019 also pursues this thesis.
In addition, Thorogood, who succumbed to cancer in 1993, is said to have confessed to the murder of Brian Jones on his deathbed. “It was me who killed Brian. I just freaked out,” he is said to have said to Tom Keylock, as Terry Rawlings writes in his book. Nonetheless, Brian Jones’ death remains officially an accident – much to the grief of his daughter Barbara.
Brian Jones’ daughter Barbara: ‘Somebody got away with murder’
Barbara Marion, who was only five months old in July 1969, is finding it extremely difficult to process her father’s death as she is unsure of what really happened. “I feel like my work isn’t over, I want an answer,” she told Mirror in 2019 on the 50th anniversary of the rocker’s death, adding, “I think someone knows something. Someone’s with me got away with murder.”
Barbara Marion at the grave of her father Brian Jones in Cheltenham on July 3, 2019
© Picture Alliance
She therefore wished that “the case would be reopened,” she also told Sky News and made it clear: “The police did not investigate as they should have.” She is also researching herself, trying to find answers so that she can finally let her father rest in peace.
Sources used: mirror.co.uk, “The Curious Life & Death of…”, “Brian Jones: Who Killed Christopher Robin?”, news.sky.com, “Rolling Stone: Life and Death of Brian Jones”