Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest NBA player of all time, had quite a bittersweet year in 1993. Michael and the Chicago bulls defeated the Phoenix Suns to win the first-ever three-peat after the Boston Celtics. But, the events that followed later didn’t go well, especially for the Jordan family.
It was also the year when Michal lost his father and a close friend, James Raymond Jordan Sr. Today we will explore the question of how Michael’s father met such a fate and how it came about.
Michael Jordan was one of five children, but he was closest to his father than the rest of his siblings. He even mirrored his father in everything he did. Even his signature, sticking his tongue out when going for the basket was something he got from his father. Michael didn’t play basketball at first, but baseball. He, however, went on to become the greatest basketball player there ever will be.
His father was right by his side all the way, and in a way, Michael’s father was the one who was always in his corner. He was his biggest fan, even though he wanted to see his son play professional baseball. After Michael won his 3rd NBA title, his father suggested he leave basketball and try his hand at professional baseball. Unfortunately, James would never live to see his son play baseball.
After a month, James Jordan set out in a red Lexus, gifted by his son, Michael. He drove to attend a friend’s funeral in Wilmington, North Carolina. James planned to attend the funeral, drive to Charlotte and fly his way back to Chicago. James was last seen alive at the funeral.
How did Michael Jordan’s father die?
On July 23rd, 1993, James was sleeping in his car in Lumberton, North Carolina. He was tired from the trip to Charlotte and decided to take a nap. Seeing this red sports car, attracted unwanted attention from two local men, Larry Demery and Daniel Green, who at the time were minors. They decided to take the car and all its content in an armed robbery.
During the robbery, one fired at James in the chest, leading to his demise. The two then went through the car for any valuables, when removing the ring from James’ body, they discovered that the ring was a gift from Michael. There were golf clubs at the back of the car, with Chicago Bulls Stripes, it later confirmed their suspicion that it was Michael’s father. They then decided to dump the body of James in a swamp in South Carolina. It was later discovered by a local fisherman.
The Jordan family didn’t file a missing person’s report till 3 weeks while contacting private investigators. James’ car was found 18 days after his murder, but his body had not yet been found. It was after 11 days that James’ body was discovered, unable to identify, and it was cremated as a ‘John Doe’. Only dental records and fingerprints could identify his body.
Larry and Daniel were sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of armed robbery and murder. The trial took place in the national spotlight. The two had originally planned a simple robbery, but Daniel shot him when James woke up from his sleep. To this day both blame each other for pulling the trigger. Whatever, the truth may be, Michael decided to retire from basketball.
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