R. Kelly Hospitalized After Alleged Overdose in Prison, Attorney Claims Intentional Harm

R&B singer R. Kelly, currently serving a 30-year sentence for racketeering and sex trafficking, was rushed to a hospital on June 13, 2025, following an alleged overdose at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Butner in North Carolina. The incident, reported by TMZ and detailed in court filings, has sparked serious allegations from Kelly’s legal team, who claim prison staff deliberately administered a life-threatening dose of medication in an attempt to harm the disgraced artist.

According to Kelly’s attorney, Beau Brindley, the incident occurred after Kelly was placed in solitary confinement on June 10, 2025, for reasons not publicly disclosed. On June 12, Kelly was allegedly given an excessive dose of unspecified medication by prison staff. Shortly after, he began experiencing severe symptoms, including dizziness, faintness, and seeing black spots, before losing consciousness. Kelly was subsequently transported to Duke University Hospital, where he was treated for two days before being returned to the prison.

Brindley has described the incident as part of a broader pattern of mistreatment, asserting that the overdose was not accidental but a deliberate act by prison staff. In a statement to TMZ, he claimed the medication was given “in an amount intended to cause him grave injury or death.” This accusation builds on a prior motion filed by Kelly’s legal team, which alleged a murder plot against the singer while incarcerated. Brindley is now seeking Kelly’s immediate release to home confinement, arguing that his life is in danger at FCI Butner.

In addition to the overdose claims, Kelly’s legal team alleges that he has been denied critical medical care, including blood-thinner medication and necessary surgery to address blood clots. These claims paint a troubling picture of the conditions Kelly is facing while serving his sentence, which stems from his 2021 conviction in New York for leading a criminal enterprise that facilitated his sexual abuse of women and minors over decades.

Federal prosecutors have pushed back against these allegations, labeling them as manipulative and an attempt to secure Kelly’s release under false pretenses. The Bureau of Prisons has declined to comment on the ongoing litigation, citing standard policy on pending legal matters.

The overdose incident marks the latest chapter in Kelly’s tumultuous legal and personal saga. Once a chart-topping artist known for hits like “I Believe I Can Fly,” Kelly’s career unraveled amid mounting allegations of sexual misconduct, culminating in his 2021 conviction and a subsequent 20-year sentence in 2023 for child sex crimes in Chicago. His appeals have so far been unsuccessful, and he remains incarcerated with limited prospects for early release.

Kelly’s legal team continues to advocate for his safety, with Brindley emphasizing the urgency of removing him from the prison environment. “This was not a mistake,” Brindley told TMZ. “The pattern of conduct by the facility shows a clear intent to harm Mr. Kelly.”

As the legal battle unfolds, questions about the treatment of high-profile inmates and the conditions at FCI Butner are likely to come under scrutiny. For now, Kelly remains in federal custody, with his health and safety at the center of a contentious dispute.

Note: This article is based on information available as of June 17, 2025, and reflects details reported by TMZ and other sources.