Slain singer Christina Grimmie’s family files wrongful death suit

By Alexandra Heilbron on December 22, 2016 | 10 Comments


Christina GrimmieSinger Christina Grimmie, who rose to fame as a contestant on season six of the televised talent competition The Voice, was shot to death by a deranged fan following a concert last June and now her family has launched a wrongful death suit. They are naming AEG Live, The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra Plaza Foundation, which owns the Orlando venue where she was shot during a post-concert meet and greet, and the security company working the event.

The gunman was carrying two handguns and a large hunting knife. Grimmie’s parents and brother state in the suit that only “superficial bag checks” were performed. They say body pat downs and/or the use of metal detectors would have eliminated the possibility of concertgoers bringing in weapons. The suit goes on to state: “The death of Christina was caused by the negligent and culpable conduct of the defendants who failed to provide adequate security measures to protect Christina at the Plaza Live Theater on June 10, 2016.”

Grimmie’s brother, Marcus, who was her road and co-tour manager, tackled the murderer, who broke free, then shot himself dead. Her parents, who had committed themselves to her career by moving to Los Angeles with her in 2012, say her death has caused them to lose the financial support she provided.

Grimmie had enjoyed moderate success prior to The Voice thanks to her YouTube Channel, as well as performances on the Disney Channel, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and two tours as the opening act for Disney star Selena Gomez. She finished in third place on The Voice in 2016.

Grimmie was 22 when she was killed and her family is seeking damages to compensate for the money she would have earned; medical and funeral expenses; damages for mental pain and suffering from the sudden death; and her brother’s loss of income. Marcus is also seeking damages for the physical and emotional trauma he suffered as a consequence. ~Alexandra Heilbron



Comments & Discussion

  1. Rick • December 22, 2016 @ 10:11 AM

    Tragic event…absolutely.
    I have no doubt Grimmies’ parents and brother have suffered deep emotional grief from this senseless act of violence.
    However, the way this event has been reported it would seem Grimmies’ family is more upset about losing their income than their daughter / sister.
    A sad comment on a society where we need to go through metal detectors and are subjected to frisking to see a show. What’s next, security checks at Walmart, Chucky Cheese or Starbucks?
    Let’s not leave the lawyers out. These educated leeches rubbing their greasy palms together in anticipation of a big payday and marketing opportunity at the expense of a lost life and a grieving family.
    And the deranged gunman, what is producing this steady barrage of twisted killers.
    And finally us; we have become so numb to daily reports of similar acts, we just think how horrible, turn the page or click the mouse to read the next story and wait for Hollywood to turn it into a movie.

  2. Ralph • December 22, 2016 @ 10:16 AM

    I agree, this story was passed over far too fast, people were already on to the next thing. I bet a lot of people who read this will not even know she was killed. But the only way the family can get something for their grief is to sue the location where it was held, which didn’t provide enough security or the proper kind of security. They won’t get Christina back, but they can at least make the people pay who made it far too easy for her to be murdered. And the brother probably has endless therapist bills, he watched it happen and couldn’t stop it. He’ll be haunted for the rest of his life.

  3. Roger Ramjet • December 22, 2016 @ 10:29 AM

    I fully support the Grimmie family for their tragic loss and in their time of grief any actions they may take to seek compensation during the healing process.

  4. Gina • December 22, 2016 @ 11:44 AM

    I support the family. If the security staff had done their job, he would have been caught before entering the building. If they sue them,they’ll definitely take it seriously next time and the next performer that is targeted will be protected. No doubt they made a lot of money for her performing there and didn’t want to spend any of it on competent security staff. It’s Florida, there’s lots of violence and rich people there so I’m sure there’s lots of very competent security companies they could have hired. They should pay for their negligence. It cost this family their daughter.

  5. Angie v • December 22, 2016 @ 12:02 PM

    I agree that security should have been proper and would have therefore prevented her death. Any other star would have had major security especially if they were at a meet and greet

  6. Derek Beaupre • December 22, 2016 @ 12:09 PM

    It’s pathetic, parents lost their support ?? Maybe they should have had jobs ??

  7. Brine • December 22, 2016 @ 4:54 PM

    I fully believe they’re in their rights to do this.

  8. yerallnuts • December 22, 2016 @ 6:38 PM

    I always have issues with lawsuits that go after deep pockets, rather than responsibly dealing with the problem. The venue is not responsible, any more than the gun shop that sold the pistols to the murderer – why not sue the killer’s parents, school and, for that matter the US government for allowing people the right to bear arms?

    Also, I understood that Adam Levine paid for the funeral, so why is the famiy looking to recover those costs?

  9. Summer • December 22, 2016 @ 9:51 PM

    Adam offered to pay, but sounds like he didn’t. And the venue is 100% responsible, yerall. They didn’t provide adequate security. The parents have the right to make negligent people and/or companies pay so that this never happens again. Hopefully all venues and security teams will take note – protect performers. There are a lot of crazies out there, if you put a little more money into making sure celebrities are safe, you’ll cut down on the likelihood of a nutjob getting at them. This young girl did not have to die and someone should pay for this.

  10. Summer • December 22, 2016 @ 9:56 PM

    And another thing. The brother will never get past the pain that he tried to stop the guy and couldn’t. He probably feels responsible for his sister’s death even though he isn’t and he will carry that FOREVER. How would you like that burden? No amount of money will help him or her parents get over losing Christine, but it will hopefully help them feel like something is being done. And likely he needs quite a bit of therapy to help him get over this. Probably the parents too. I can’t imagine the pain when your loved one is taken in a premeditated, totally senseless act by an evil/crazy person. I would carry such anger and pain, I don’t know how they are coping with this. It’s unimaginable and if you think they are doing this because they are greedy, then I hope you are never put in this position where your loved one(s) is/are killed by someone. Just think before you speak/write. They’re in enough pain, they don’t need you judging them.


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