R. Kelly Hospitalized After Near-Fatal Overdose in Prison, Lawyer Files Emergency Release Plea

Imprisoned R&B star R. Kelly was urgently rushed to a hospital after suffering a suspected overdose while in solitary confinement at a North Carolina prison, his legal team confirmed.

According to his attorney Beau Brindley, the 58-year-old singer collapsed in his cell on June 13—just days after being placed in isolation—and was subsequently transferred to Duke University Hospital. Medical staff reportedly told his legal team the dose of medication administered prior to the incident was dangerously high and potentially life-threatening.

Brindley alleges Kelly had been given the medication on June 12 while still held in solitary confinement, leading to the next-day collapse. In response, the singer’s lawyers have filed an emergency motion seeking his temporary release from custody, arguing that his health and life are at serious risk if he remains incarcerated under current conditions.

Kelly is serving a 30-year sentence after being convicted on multiple counts of sex trafficking and racketeering. The latest incident raises further concerns about the treatment of high-profile inmates and the management of medical care within U.S. prisons.