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R. Kelly, born Robert Sylvester Kelly, the disgraced R&B artist currently imprisoned for racketeering and sexual abuse offenses, was reportedly hospitalized following a suspected drug overdose within the correctional facility allegedly caused by prison personnel. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the details surrounding Kelly’s recent medical emergency.
R. Kelly’s Current Location
Kelly is incarcerated at FCI Butner Medium I in North Carolina. His sentence stems from a conviction on nine counts, as detailed by the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Homeland Security Investigations, encompassing racketeering predicated on criminal actions, including sexual exploitation of children, forced labor, and Mann Act violations. These violations involved the coercion and transportation of women and girls across state lines for illegal sexual activity, resulting in a cumulative prison term of 31 years.
Allegations of Overdose
According to AllHipHop’s report on June 16, 2025, attorney Beau B. Brindley asserted that Kelly suffered an overdose while in solitary confinement. The claim alleges that prison employees administered an excessive amount of medication.
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Brindley stated, “That means that, within two days of the filing of his motion, Bureau of Prisons officials administered an amount of medication that significantly exceeded a safe dose and caused Mr. Kelly to overdose, putting his life in jeopardy,” and emphasized, “They gave him an amount of medicine that could have killed him.”
Hospitalization Details
AllHipHop reported that Kelly was allegedly drugged by prison staff, leading to his hospitalization. Court documents from an emergency motion, as reported by the outlet, indicate that the former R&B singer was placed in isolation on June 10, 2025, and received additional medication from staff members on June 12. The following morning, Kelly reportedly experienced dizziness and vision impairment before being transported to Duke University Hospital.
The specific substance involved in the alleged drugging remains unclear.
Medical Findings and Treatment
Following the discovery that Kelly had been given a “life-threatening dose” of medication, doctors kept him under observation for two days, according to reports. The outlet further noted the discovery of blood clots in both Kelly’s lungs and legs. Despite medical staff’s recommendation for surgery, prison officials reportedly removed Kelly from the hospital.
Legal Perspectives
According to AllHipHop, Brindley claimed, “Within an hour, officers with guns came into his hospital room and removed Mr. Kelly. He was taken from the hospital against his will and against the directives of the doctors. He was denied the surgery he needs to clear blood clots in his lungs that threaten his life. This happened. This will be confirmed by hospital records. It is undeniable.”
Kelly’s legal representatives contend that he has faced unjust treatment while in solitary confinement. Brindley described the conditions as “inhumane,” claiming, according to AllHipHop, that Kelly has gone days without food due to fears of poisoning, is unable to consume commissary food, sleeps with spiders, and has no access to phone calls.
Kelly’s lawyers are also advocating for his temporary release to home confinement. Prosecutors, however, have described the motion and Kelly’s accusations against prison staff as “repugnant,” according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
If you or anyone you know has been sexually abused, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). A trained staff member will provide confidential, judgment-free support as well as local resources to assist in healing, recovering and more.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).