The Notorious B.I.G. will always have his place in hip-hop. His presence and contributions to the culture are embedded in its DNA. However, his unsolved murder and tragic death from more than 15-years ago still lingers when we think of the iconic rapper.
Today, a bittersweet reminder of Big Poppa was made public by TMZ. Biggie’s autopsy report filled with details of his murder are listed in a document on the site. We must warn the following summary may be graphic to some readers. Rest In Peace Biggie Smalls
via TMZ:
According to the report, 3 of the shots were NOT fatal.
— Gunshot #1 struck Wallace in the left forearm and traveled down to his wrist.
— Gunshot #2 struck Wallace in the back, missed all vital organs, and exited through his left shoulder.
— Gunshot #3 struck Wallace on his outer left thigh and exited through his inner left thigh.
The reports says .. after Gunshot #3 exited the thigh, “the projectile strikes the left side of the scrotum, causing a very shallow, 3/8 inch linear laceration.” The fatal bullet was Gunshot #4 … which entered Wallace’s body through his right hip and ripped its way through several vital organs … before coming to rest in his left shoulder area.
According to the report, the bullet perforated Wallace’s colon, liver, heart and the upper lobe of his left lung. Immediately after the shooting Wallace was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Hospital — where doctors performed an emergency thoracotomy … but it was too late. Wallace was pronounced dead at 1:15 AM.
According to the report, all 4 of the gunshots traveled through the Suburban passenger door before striking Wallace. Two of the bullets were found on the gurney that transported Wallace to the hospital. Another bullet was discovered at the hospital when the body was turned over after doctors had pronounced him dead.
During the autopsy, the coroner listed Wallace as “morbidly obese.” A toxicology test revealed Wallace had no traces of drugs or alcohol in his system at the time of his death. Wallace’s body was eventually ID’d by his mother and wife.