Memphis DJ “Slick Rick” was found beheaded in his Tennessee home Wednesday afternoon.
The DJ was discovered by his brother John Buchanan, whose real name is Rick Buchanan, after a neighbor called him concerned because the back door to the house was open.
The brother told Fox 13 Memphis the front door was locked, but the back door was wide open when he arrived.
“The front door was closed, but the back door was wide open,” Buchanan told the station. “The iron door was open too, so I went in and found him and called 911. It was terrible. At first, I thought his coat was over his head because he was cold or something. So, I ran and ran and realized that wasn't the case. It was something worst.”
“There were a lot of strange things,” the brother added. “His keys were still in his hand. His pants were pulled down to his feet and the back door was wide open, which is the weird thing.
John Buchanan said his brother's dog was also in the yard, which was unusual.
When the station asked him if he had any ideas about the circumstances or what could have happened, John said: “I have no idea. We don’t know what happened.”
“About a month ago, when the taillight on that car was out, there was a guy in here and he said he owed him $30, so he broke the taillight with a hammer,” Buchanan said. “I told him, 'Well, that's $30,' and he just left, but I don't know if that had anything to do with it because I gave him $30.”
The Daily Beast reported that Rick was shot during a robbery in 2014 at a live music venue that his mother, Nita Makris, owned at the time.
Buchanan's family has launched a GoFundMe to cover funeral expenses.
“As many have learned, it is unfortunate that Slick Rick is no longer with us. There are still many unanswered questions, and the family appreciates the outpouring of love they are receiving,” the fundraiser description said. “If you know Rick, you know that he He gave to anyone he could, from friends, strangers and charities like Magen David Adom. He used his voice and personality to raise unimaginable amounts of money for others. He was also a champion of Memphis music and took pride in presenting, playing and promoting local music at The Stage Stop.
The description adds: “His family has set up this Go Fundme link to help put Ricky in his place, but also to donate to a charity in Ricky's name. We appreciate the Stage Stop and Memphis music family for coming out and sending all the love. Please post all the photos and memories you want to share And keep his family in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you and ROCK ON.
The family had raised more than $4,000 by Saturday evening.
Police did not name the suspect or publish any theories about a possible motive.
