Strange twists add mystery to Harrison's death

By DAVID LISTER

LONDON - George Harrison, it was reported across the world, died at a friend's house in Los Angeles.

It was repeated so often that it left no room for doubt.

Now, suddenly, there is doubt. Not of the death, from cancer, but of the exact place of death and the circumstances of the disposal of the ashes.

Within the space of a few weeks, the aftermath of Harrison's death now looks like it will fuel a host of conspiracy theories, articles in music magazines and updates to Beatles' biographies.

It is a curious part of rock and roll mythology that the deaths of its stars have rarely been straightforward affairs and have so often been surrounded by myth and rumour - sometimes even doubt as to whether the star was dead at all.

From the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly to the bizarre hanging of Michael Hutchence, the long and intriguing list includes the "non-death" of Elvis Presley and mysterious accusations about Jim Morrison's demise.

Harrison's death last month had appeared to leave no corner of the story uncovered but then when Harrison's widow and son failed to go to India to sprinkle his ashes as expected, a sense of oddness emerged.

Yesterday, it was revealed the address where the former Beatle is recorded as having died does not exist.

Los Angeles police are now investigating a complaint from a lawyer that Harrison's family filed a false address on his death certificate.

The astonishing, if remote, prospect suggested by the police is that a member of Harrison's family, possibly his widow Olivia or son Dhani, could go to prison if either was involved in falsifying a death certificate.

The revelation adds to the oddly rich mystery surrounding the legendary Harrison's death on November 29. His body, it was said, was cremated even before the announcement of his death was made.

Initially, Gavin de Becker, a Hollywood security consultant and friend, claimed Harrison had died at his home but, when his death certificate was filed, the non-existent address was given.

The District Attorney's office said it was believed that Dr Lee Rosen, who signed the certificate, had only filled in the cause of death.

Harrison was recorded as having died at 1971 Coldwater Canyon in Beverly Hills but the US Post Office says the address does not exist and, late last week, Los Angeles lawyer Gloria Allred filed a formal complaint.

"Celebrities and/or their supporters are not above the law, even if they are acting with good intentions," she said.

The Los Angeles District Attorney's spokeswoman said: "Our office accepted the complaint. We turned it over to the Hollywood division of the LA Police Department."

That comes on top of the mystery of the disposal of the ashes.

Shortly after his death. it was announced that the remains of Harrison, a follower of the Hare Krishna movement, would be taken to India and sprinkled at dawn on the River Ganges at two holy sites.

But, although flight times were given and crowds and Indian spiritual leaders gathered at the appointed spot, Olivia Harrison never made the trip - leaving embarrassed Indian dignitaries to speculate that the whole thing may have been a media invention.

No explanation was forthcoming. Olivia Harrison kept her silence. Now, though, she faces being interviewed by police.

- INDEPENDENT