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Following John Lennon’s tragic assassination in 1980, his widow, Yoko Ono, and their young son, Sean, faced intense scrutiny and threats. A new biography, “Yoko,” by David Sheff, reveals the extraordinary lengths taken to protect Sean in the aftermath of his father’s death. Sheff, a longtime friend of Ono who previously interviewed the couple for Playboy, details the harrowing experience of the grieving family.
The book recounts how Sean, fearing for his safety, was smuggled out of the Dakota apartment in a black bag to avoid a potentially dangerous individual lurking outside. This desperate measure highlights the extreme stress and fear the family endured following the murder. For weeks, mourners held vigil outside the Dakota, while inside, Yoko and Sean struggled to cope with their loss amidst the constant reminders of John’s fame and tragic end.
Sheff’s biography also reveals chilling details of the threats the family faced, including receiving a bullet-riddled copy of Lennon and Ono’s album “Double Fantasy.” Adding to the turmoil, Yoko contended with the theft of John’s personal belongings, leading to the arrest of their chauffeur on larceny charges.
She even received a letter from John’s killer, Mark David Chapman, requesting permission to write a memoir. Yoko’s response, when asked if she would forgive Chapman, was a pointed, “I’m not the pope.”