What Happened to Bobby Fuller?

Bobby Fuller was an American rock and roll singer, songwriter, and guitarist, best known for his 1966 hit I Fought the Law. Born on 22 October 1942 in Baytown, Texas, he grew up in El Paso, where he developed a passion for music influenced by Buddy Holly and other early rock pioneers. Fuller formed several bands during his teenage years, eventually leading The Bobby Fuller Four, which gained local success before moving to Los Angeles in 1964.

In California, Fuller and his band signed with Mustang Records, where they refined their signature sound: a blend of rockabilly, surf rock, and 1960s pop. Their breakthrough came in 1966 with the song I Fought the Law, a cover written by Sonny Curtis of The Crickets. The track became a Top 10 hit in the United States and remains a rock classic, covered by numerous artists, including The Clash.

Despite his rising success, Fuller’s career was tragically cut short. On 18 July 1966, he was found dead in his car outside his Hollywood apartment at the age of 23. His body showed signs of physical distress, and his death was initially ruled a suicide before being reclassified as accidental. However, the circumstances surrounding his passing remain mysterious, with some believing foul play was involved.

Plot

Bobby Fuller had been living in an apartment in Hollywood with his mother, Lorraine Fuller, and his younger brother, Randy, who was also a member of his band. Their home was close to the offices of Mustang Records, the label that had helped launch Fuller’s career. On the morning of 18 July, Bobby had reportedly received a phone call before leaving the apartment in his mother’s Oldsmobile. It is unclear who the call was from or where Fuller intended to go.

Throughout the day, his mother and brother became increasingly worried when he did not return. His bandmates and friends had no idea where he was either, adding to the concern.

At approximately 5:00 p.m., Lorraine Fuller stepped outside to find Bobby’s car parked in front of their apartment building. Inside, she discovered her son slumped over in the driver’s seat, unresponsive. His body was covered in bruises and abrasions, and his skin was reportedly soaked with petrol. Shocked and panicked, she called the police.

When officers arrived, they noted that there was no evidence of a struggle inside the car, nor were there signs of forced entry. However, Fuller’s body exhibited injuries that suggested he had been beaten or otherwise harmed before his death. His face and chest had numerous small wounds, and his fingers were curled as though he had been convulsing.

The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office initially ruled his death a suicide, suggesting that he had ingested petrol, possibly in an attempt to kill himself. However, after further examination, the cause of death was amended to "accidental asphyxiation due to the inhalation of petrol vapours". Despite this, many people, including Fuller’s family and close associates, found the explanation unconvincing.

Several details surrounding Fuller’s death remain puzzling. Witnesses claimed that his car had not been in front of the apartment earlier in the day, which raised the question of where he had been for several hours. The temperature on that July afternoon was extremely hot, yet Fuller’s body showed signs of rigor mortis, suggesting that he had been dead for some time before being placed in the car. Also, the presence of petrol on his body combined with reports of bruising, made many suspect foul play.

Despite ongoing speculation, the truth about Bobby Fuller’s death has never been definitively uncovered. His case remains one of rock and roll’s enduring mysteries, leaving fans to wonder what might have been had he lived to fulfil his musical potential.

Into the Theories

Suicide or Accidental Death

One of the earliest explanations suggested by the authorities was that Bobby Fuller had taken his own life or died accidentally while inhaling petrol fumes. The initial police report even stated that his death could be a suicide, though this was later amended.

The idea of an accidental death stems from the fact that Fuller’s body was found in his car, drenched in petrol, with no signs of struggle within the vehicle. Some have speculated that he may have been experimenting with inhalants or was in a delirious state when he was exposed to the fumes, leading to his death.

However, those close to Fuller found this theory difficult to believe. He had no known history of drug use or depression, and his career was on the rise at the time of his death. His band was set to tour, and he had future recording plans. His family and friends rejected the notion that he would take his own life, particularly in such a strange and violent manner. Additionally, the presence of bruising on his body suggests he may have been physically harmed before his death, casting doubt on the idea that it was simply an accident.

Murder by the Music Industry

Another widely discussed theory is that Fuller’s death was connected to the music business, particularly his relationship with his record label, Mustang Records. In the 1960s, the music industry had notorious links to unscrupulous business dealings, with allegations of mob involvement in artist management, record distribution, and contracts.

Fuller was reportedly unhappy with his management and the direction his career was taking. There were rumours that he was looking to leave Mustang Records or challenge the terms of his contract, which could have put him at odds with powerful figures in the industry. Some theorists believe that Fuller may have been pressured or even physically harmed as a warning, and that something went wrong, leading to his death.

The state of Fuller’s body suggests that he was not simply left in his car after inhaling petrol; the bruises, the unusual posture of his hands, and the reports of his car being moved all point to something more sinister. Some believe he may have been kidnapped, beaten, and then placed in the car to make it look like an accident. The idea that the music industry, or those connected to it, was responsible is reinforced by the fact that several musicians of the era died under mysterious circumstances, raising suspicions that darker forces were at play behind the scenes.

Organised Crime Involvement

A more extreme but still widely discussed theory is that Bobby Fuller’s death was linked to organised crime. The 1960s music industry had deep ties to criminal organisations, and Los Angeles, where Fuller was based, had a significant presence of mob-connected figures operating behind the scenes in various businesses.

Some theorists suggest that Fuller may have become involved with the wrong people, either through a business deal, personal association, or a chance encounter that led to deadly consequences. Given that petrol was poured over his body, some believe this may have been an attempt to destroy evidence or even to stage a warning-style killing. The fact that his car reportedly was not seen outside the apartment earlier in the day, despite the body showing signs of rigor mortis, supports the idea that he was taken elsewhere, harmed, and later brought back.

Furthermore, the lack of a serious police investigation has raised suspicions. Some believe that authorities may have been pressured to dismiss Fuller’s death as an accident to avoid deeper scrutiny into individuals who had the power to influence law enforcement.

Why It's Shifty

Bobby Fuller’s death remains controversial due to the strange and unexplained circumstances surrounding it. Officially ruled as an accidental asphyxiation from inhaling petrol fumes, the case has been widely questioned due to inconsistencies in the evidence and a lack of proper investigation. Fuller’s body was found bruised and covered in petrol inside his mother’s car outside his Hollywood apartment on 18 July 1966. Witnesses reported that the car had not been there earlier in the day, suggesting that he may have died elsewhere and was later placed in the vehicle.

The presence of injuries on his body, the odd positioning of his hands, and the suggestion of rigor mortis raised suspicions that he had been beaten or even poisoned before his death. Many believe the music industry or organised crime may have played a role, as Fuller was reportedly unhappy with his record label and possibly looking to break away. Some also argue that the authorities dismissed the case too quickly, failing to consider foul play.

With this many injuries to the body, it is notably difficult to believe it was suicide or an accident...

Conclusion

More than half a century after Bobby Fuller’s death, the truth remains elusive. The conflicting details surrounding his final hours, the strange condition in which his body was found, and the lack of a thorough investigation have only deepened the mystery. Whether he died as a result of an accident, a dispute with his record label, or something far more sinister, the unanswered questions continue to fascinate fans, historians, and investigators alike.

Over the years, new theories have surfaced, but without definitive proof, speculation remains the only constant. The lack of witnesses, missing police records, and the rapid closure of the case suggest that key pieces of information may have been lost, or deliberately buried. His death is one of rock and roll’s great mysteries, a cautionary tale that lingers in the darker corners of the music industry’s history.

Unless new evidence emerges or long-hidden secrets come to light, the truth behind Bobby Fuller’s untimely end may never be fully uncovered, leaving his fate as one of the enduring enigmas of 1960s rock and roll.

So, I will see you next week for more shifty stuff...

Next Week: Where Did Mengele Go?