Statement from family of Notorious B.I.G.

The following statement was released on Sept. 5 by the family of Christopher Wallace (a.k.a. 'Notorious B.I.G.') in response to an L.A. Times article on the murder of Tupac Shakur.

September 6, 2002

"The article which appeared today in the Los Angeles Times titled, "Who Killed Tupac Shakur" and related stories from other media outlets are patently false and are the most extreme examples of irresponsible journalism we've ever seen. The LA Times article takes facts on record and juxtaposes them with hazy, un-attributed remarks which are not the result of any legitimate investigation, but rather are simply an effort to generate further confusion and publicity.

"Christopher (Notorious B.I.G.) Wallace had nothing to do with the death of Tupac Shakur. He wasn't in Las Vegas at the time of the crime, he did not arrange the murder, he didn't pay 50 thousand dollars of bounty money to anyone and he did not hand a gun to Orlando Anderson to be used in the hit on Tupac. It is all lies.

"We are outraged at the false and damaging statements made in the Los Angeles Times by Chuck Phillips regarding Christopher (the Notorious B.I.G.'s) Wallace alleged involvement in Tupac Shakur's death. These false accusations are nothing but irresponsible journalism.

"The estate is considering bringing a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Times for untruthful statements and accusations which amount to character assassination of someone who is himself the victim of an unsolved murder.

"For the record, Christopher (the Notorious B.I. G.) Wallace was at his home in New Jersey on the night of Tupac Shakur's murder, with friends who will continue to testify for his whereabouts since he is unable to defend himself.

"We believe that the LAPD have been neglectful in their investigation of Christopher's murder. As a result, we have filed a lawsuit against the LAPD for its failure to investigate this murder.

"Christopher (the Notorious B.I.G.) Wallace's friends and family will continue to stand by him and support his memory in the face of this latest accusation against his character and his life.

"This false story is a disrespect to not only our family but the family of Tupac Shakur. Both men will have no peace as long as stories such as these continue to be written."