He has been hospitalized following an alleged overdose in prison, raising serious concerns amid claims of a potential murder plot against him.
The saga surrounding R. Kelly, the controversial R&B singer currently serving a 30-year sentence for racketeering and sex trafficking, has taken another alarming turn. Recent reports indicate that Kelly was hospitalized last week following an alleged overdose on medication administered by prison staff. This incident comes amidst explosive claims from his legal team, who allege a sinister murder plot against the singer orchestrated by federal prison officials. The confluence of these events has reignited public debate and cast a harsh spotlight on the conditions and oversight within the U.S. penal system.
A Sudden Collapse and Hospitalization
On Friday, June 13, 2025, R. Kelly, whose full name is Robert Kelly, was rushed to Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, after collapsing in his cell at the Federal Correctional Institute (FCI) Butner. According to his lawyers, the collapse was a result of an “overdose quantity” of medication given to him by prison staff on June 12, a dose significantly higher than his usual anxiety and sleep medication.
His legal team detailed a harrowing account of the incident. In the early hours of June 13, Kelly reportedly woke up feeling “faint” and “dizzy,” experiencing black spots in his vision before falling to the ground and losing consciousness. Onsite prison medical staff were unable to provide adequate assistance, necessitating his emergency transport by ambulance to Duke University Hospital. He remained hospitalized for two days, and his lawyers claim he was forcibly removed from the hospital against medical advice, even being denied a recommended surgery for blood clots found in his legs and lungs. He was then reportedly returned to solitary confinement.
This medical emergency raises serious questions about the standard of care and medication protocols within federal correctional facilities, especially for high-profile inmates.
The Alleged Murder Plot: A Deeply Disturbing Accusation
Perhaps even more sensational than the alleged overdose are the claims by Kelly’s legal team of an elaborate murder plot against him. These accusations were first brought forth in an emergency motion for furlough filed by his attorneys last week, just days before the overdose incident.
Inside the Allegations: Corruption and Coercion
According to court filings, Kelly’s lawyers assert that three Bureau of Prisons (BOP) officials allegedly devised a scheme to have him killed by another inmate. The motive behind this alleged plot, as per the defense, is to suppress evidence of constitutional violations and misconduct that occurred during Kelly’s federal prosecutions in New York and Chicago.
A key piece of evidence cited by Kelly’s team is a sworn statement from another inmate, identified as Mikeal Glenn Stine. Stine, reportedly a member of the Aryan Brotherhood, claims he was approached by prison officials and instructed to kill Kelly. In exchange for carrying out the murder, Stine was allegedly promised an escape and freedom, leveraging his terminal cancer diagnosis. However, Stine purportedly had a change of heart, confessing the plot to Kelly and subsequently signing a declaration admitting the scheme.
Kelly’s attorneys further allege that federal officers stole attorney-client communications, using them to coerce key witnesses into testifying against Kelly. They argue that once Kelly’s legal team began exposing this alleged misconduct, officials sought to eliminate Kelly to silence him.
Prosecutors Dismiss Claims as “Fanciful Conspiracy”
Federal prosecutors have vehemently denied these allegations, labeling them a “fanciful conspiracy” and “deeply unserious.” In a motion filed on Monday, June 16, 2025, they argued that Kelly’s claims “make a mockery of the harm” suffered by his victims. Prosecutors also asserted that the Chicago court lacks jurisdiction to grant Kelly the relief he seeks, and that he has failed to exhaust administrative remedies within the prison system.
The Bureau of Prisons has declined to comment on the ongoing litigation, citing policy.
Solitary Confinement and Deteriorating Conditions
Adding another layer of concern to these developments is the report that R. Kelly was placed in solitary confinement on June 10, “against his will,” shortly after his legal team filed the initial emergency motion for furlough detailing the alleged murder plot.
His lawyer, Beau B. Brindley, described the conditions of his solitary confinement as dire. Kelly was reportedly cut off from phone calls, denied access to food from the commissary, and left to sleep in a cell infested with spiders. Furthermore, out of fear of being poisoned, Kelly allegedly went days without eating. These conditions, if true, could be seen as further exacerbating any existing health issues and raising questions about punitive measures within the prison system.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Scrutiny
This latest development in the R. Kelly saga, combining a severe health incident with allegations of an internal prison murder plot, is likely to draw significant attention to the operations and accountability of the Bureau of Prisons. It highlights the complex and often opaque nature of correctional facilities, and the challenges faced by incarcerated individuals, particularly those with high public profiles.
For Kelly, who is already serving a lengthy sentence, these events introduce a new dimension to his incarceration. His legal team is actively pursuing avenues for his release to home detention, citing the immediate danger to his life within prison walls. The credibility of the alleged murder plot and the circumstances surrounding his overdose will undoubtedly be scrutinized in ongoing legal proceedings.