Police Investigating Death Of Temptations Member Dennis Edwards

Police are investigating the death of Temptations singer Dennis Edwards, who passed away last week at age 74.

POLICE INVESTIGATING DEATH OF DENNIS EDWARDS

The Grammy-winner’s wife, Brenda Edwards, reported to the media that her husband had died due to complications from meningitis. However, Becky Schlickerman, spokeswoman for the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office, said that an autopsy was completed and that the “manner and cause of death are pending.” An emergency protection order filed in January by the Health Care Consortium alleges that Edwards suffered from neglect at the hands of his wife.

Brenda, 60, publicly denied these claims in a statement made on Tuesday to the Detroit News: “I loved Dennis and we were married for 18 years. I would have never done anything to harm him. These allegations are false and defamatory and will be proven as such. Until this is all over, I have no further comment.”

The singer became ill in 2017 reportedly from meningitis, and was in and out of the hospital. His daughter, Issa Pointer-Stewart, who had been appointed his power of attorney, claims she never heard the doctors say he had the disease.

Brenda moved Edwards from the St. Louis area to Chicago, according to family. While there, Edwards went to rehab to have the ventilator he’d been using for about a year removed. Once he was released, an investigation was launched into Brenda by adult protective services after Edwards made a complaint, according to Pointer-Stewart. The emergency protection order was filed on Jan. 12.

According to the document, Edwards was “bed bound and immobile” and that there had been an attempt to “suffocate [Edwards] by holding his head face down on the bed” and his hearing aids had been removed. Brenda went to a hearing about the case, but according to the court clerk, the order was vacated because Edwards had died.

Currently, funeral arrangements are being postponed while the investigation is completed. Edwards’ daughters Pointer-Stewart and Denise Edwards have not commented directly on the matter. “I hope we can give him what he deserves,” said Pointer-Stewart.