Is Cathy Smith Living or Dead?

About Cathy Smith

Cathy Smith was a notorious figure in the music industry, known for her involvement in the death of Canadian singer-songwriter, John Belushi. Born on April 25, 1947, in Hamilton, Ontario, Smith had a troubled childhood and turned to drugs at a young age.

In the 1970s, Smith became a backup singer and met several famous musicians, including Gordon Lightfoot and Neil Young. However, it was her relationship with John Belushi that would ultimately define her legacy.

On March 5, 1982, Belushi was found dead in his hotel room at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. Smith, who had been with him the night before, was arrested and charged with administering the fatal dose of heroin and cocaine that led to his death.

Smith pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to three years in prison. She was released after serving 15 months and deported to Canada.

Despite her conviction, Smith remained a controversial figure in the music industry. She was interviewed by Rolling Stone magazine in 1986, where she spoke candidly about her involvement in Belushi's death and her struggles with addiction.

Smith passed away on August 18, 2020, at the age of 73. Her legacy as a cautionary tale of the dangers of drug addiction and the high price of fame lives on.

References:

- "Cathy Smith, Who Injected John Belushi With Fatal Drugs, Dies at 73." The New York Times, 19 Aug. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/08/19/arts/music/cathy-smith-dead.html.

- "Cathy Smith: The Woman Who Killed John Belushi." Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 2016, www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/cathy-smith-the-woman-who-killed-john-belushi-104788/.

About Death

Smith died on August 16, 2020, in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, at the age of 73. According to The Globe and Mail, she had been on oxygen and in failing health for the past few years.