Phil Spector dead – Convicted murderer and music producer dies at 81 from Covid in prison

PHIL Spector has died at the age of 81.

The convicted murderer and "wall of sound" music producer died on Saturday, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said.

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His daughter, Nicole Audrey Spector, told The New York Times that he died of complications from Covid-19.

She told the outlet her father was taken to San Joaquin General Hospital on New Year's Eve, and intubated this month.

Sources told TMZ the jailed producer died of Covid complications, but the CDCR said the cause of death is under investigation.

Spector had been serving a 19-year sentence in prison for the murder of Lana Clarkson.

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Word of Spector's death came as:

• He was serving a 19-year prison sentence for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson
• The disgraced producer was reportedly confirmed to have coronavirus four weeks ago
• Nicole Audrey Spector, one of his five children, told The New York Times he died of Covid complications
• His ex-wife said she "cares" for the murderer
• Spector was recently seen with a new look in a prison picture
• Behind-the-scene pictures gave details on The Beatles – whose Let It Be album was produced by Spector decades before his murder conviction

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"California Health Care Facility inmate Phillip Spector, 80, was pronounced deceased of natural causes at 6:35 p.m. on Saturday, January 16, 2021, at an outside hospital," the CDCR said in a statement.

Spector had been hospitalized after his coronavirus diagnosis four weeks ago and returned to jail, sources told TMZ.

He reportedly relapsed, however, and died on Saturday after being taken to the hospital.

CDCR said the medical examiner in the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office will confirm the cause of death.

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The late producer had been involved with a number of great hits – and mixed albums for top names including The Beatles.

He produced for other artists, including The Righteous Brothers, Ike & Tina, and The Ronettes.

Spector became known for the "wall of sound" music technique.

He used a roaring effect in music which he discovered in a tunnel near Hollywood Blvd – which he dubbed the "Wagnerian approach to rock 'n' roll," TMZ reports.

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Spector was imprisoned after he fatally shot actress Lana Clarkson in 2003.

Clarkson's family said in a statement, issued through lawyer Rod Lindblom: "Lana Clarkson was a warm, compassionate, kind, loving woman who would be 58 years old now.

"Her energy, brightness and love of life have sustained her family since her murder 18 years ago in 2003.”

A friend of Clarkson described Spector as both an artist and a “monster."

Kevin Abosch, an LA photographer, told The Sun: “Lana was a great friend to all who knew her. She was optimistic and had a huge heart.

"I try to remember her this way rather than a victim of violent crime," he said.

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"Artists leave artistic legacies and monsters leave people in horror. I believe Mr Spector did both.”

Billy Edwards, father-in-law of Lana’s sister, Fawn Clarkson, told The Sun Spector’s death would give the family “closure."

He said of Spector: “He was an animal, it [the murder] was terrible. He was a little guy with a complex. 

“I know Lana wouldn’t be happy [about his death] it would give her some relief but not happiness. But this will bring the family closure.

“He should have been executed, but he deserved what he got in the end, whether it was someone up there [God] or someone down here.”

Although the first court proceedings led to a declared mistrial, a retrial that started in October 2008 led to Spector being found guilty of second-degree murder, according to Biography.

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He was eligible for parole in 2025.

Al Pacino played the disgraced producer in a 2013 movie on his murder trial, titled Phil Spector.

Spector had three wives throughout his life: Spectors Three vocalist Annette Merar; The Ronettes singer Veronica Bennett, later known as Ronnie Spector; and Rachelle Short.

He had five children – three whom he adopted with ex-wife Veronica Bennett, and two whom he had with Janis Zavala.

Spector recently was seen with a new look as he appeared bald in his latest prison snap.

The picture came after he became known for his use of wigs during his trials.

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Word of Spector's death spread quickly on Sunday, with people commenting on his life.

"Phil Spector has died. He was genius and lunacy wrapped up in one," one user wrote.

"It's a shame that the incredible music he produced is tainted with the horrors of his personal life," they added.