Reggie Kray has claimed that Brian Epstein was murdered on the orders of the American mafia, according to an unearthed prison interview revealed in a new book.
Epstein, the influential manager of The Beatles, was found dead at his Belgravia home in 1967.
At the time, a pathologist concluded he had accidentally overdosed on Carbrital, a sedative prescribed to treat his insomnia.
However, Beatles biographer Philip Norman’s new book suggests the circumstances surrounding Epstein’s death may not be as straightforward as originally believed.
It raises the possibility that his death could have been connected to a failed US merchandising arrangement, which left several American businesses facing serious financial losses.
In a 1985 interview conducted at Parkhurst prison by Liverpool Echo journalist Peter Trollope, Kray gave a striking account of Epstein’s death.
‘It’s easy to kill someone and make it look like an overdose,’ he said.
The Kray twins, notorious figures in London’s criminal underworld, also claimed they had planned to blackmail Epstein using compromising photographs taken at parties they hosted in the 1960s.
Brian Epstein, the influential manager of The Beatles , was found dead at his Belgravia home in 1967. Pictured: Epstein (centre) with The Beatles
The Kray twins, notorious figures in London’s criminal underworld, claimed they had planned to blackmail Epstein using compromising photographs taken at parties they hosted in the 60s
At the time, homosexuality was illegal in Britain.
‘We were just going to blackmail Epstein over the photographs, but then he goes and dies,’ Kray said.
He added that organised crime groups could act indirectly through established British criminals: ‘For us, the Mob were always in the background. They knew that if they wanted anything done in England, they could do it through the Krays. But it [Epstein] wasn’t us.’
Norman writes in his book, Mr Moonlight: Brian Epstein and the Making of the Beatles, that Kray appeared to suggest Epstein may have been targeted by the American mafia, rather than his own gang.
‘This ultimate insider in British organised crime seemingly knew for certain that Brian had been murdered, albeit not by his own ‘Firm’… but, he’d hinted, by the American mafia to which the Firm had been fraternally linked,’ Norman wrote.
The book also details how Epstein became embroiled in a controversial US merchandising deal connected to the Beatles band.
According to Norman, Epstein licensed a group of New York entrepreneurs to produce official merchandise, but the agreement was heavily weighted against him and the band, who reportedly received just 10 per cent of profits.
As the arrangement unravelled, Epstein is said to have attempted to renegotiate more favourable deals from London.
The confusion allegedly led major US retailers, including Macy’s and JCPenney, to cancel orders, leaving some small manufacturers financially exposed.
One such manufacturer is said to have suffered a fatal heart attack under financial strain, with his son allegedly vowing revenge against Epstein.
British associate Nicky Byrne, who helped set up Seltaeb (the Beatles’ name spelt backwards) to manage merchandising, told Norman he later received an anonymous phone call following a lawsuit involving Epstein.
‘This man’s voice, very low, very polite, said, “Mr Byrne, I understand that your suit against Brian Epstein is settled, is that right?” I said, “Yes, and what’s it got to do with you?” But whoever it was just hung up.’
He added that months later he received another call: ‘Mr Byrne,’ it said, ‘you’re going to hear soon that Brian Epstein has met with an accident.’
Epstein was later found dead after failing to appear as expected at his Sussex country home.
He had returned unexpectedly to London and was last seen by his butler the previous afternoon.
When his bedroom door was forced open, he was found in bed wearing pyjamas, surrounded by correspondence, a novel, the script for Yellow Submarine, vials of pills, and chocolate digestives.
A ‘low lethal dose’ of Carbrital was found in his system.
However, Norman questions whether the scene supports the official ruling of accidental overdose.
He points out that Epstein appeared to have been engaged in reading and eating shortly before his death, raising doubts about his level of sedation.
Norman also highlights that a police inspector reported seeing blood coming from Epstein’s nose at the scene.
