John Amos’ Cause Of Death Revealed After His Death Was Announced Over A Month After His Passing

Following the news that Good Times star John Amos‘ death was not announced until over a month after he first passed away — which was when his daughter, Shannon, reportedly found out through media reports — TMZ has obtained a copy of his death certificate.

Filed with L.A. County, the death certificate confirms Amos died of congestive heart failure.

The certificate states that he passed away Aug. 21 at 5:18 p.m. at a hospital in Inglewood, Calif. His son, Kelly Christopher “K.C.” Amos, is listed as the informant who notified the county of his passing.

The Good Times actor was reportedly cremated on Aug. 30. K.C. did not publicly announce John’s death until yesterday (Oct. 1).

John’s daughter revealed in a social media post that she did not find out about his death until it made headlines, fueling speculation that there is still bad blood between the siblings after she accused him of abusing their father.

“I am without words…Our family has received the heartbreaking news that my Dad, John Allen Amos, Jr., transitioned on August 21st,” Shannon wrote. “We are devastated and left with many questions about how this happened 45 days ago, learning about it through the media like so many of you.”

Her message to her followers also notes that she is still navigating the “uncertainties surrounding his passing” but feels “some semblance of peace in knowing my father is finally free.”

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Shannon claimed in June 2023 that her father was a victim of “elder abuse and financial exploitation.” She accused K.C. of failing to provide enough care for their father’s ailing health.

John denied the accusations himself and defended his son in a statement to People at the time.

“I want to first say that I am feeling well and working diligently on various projects that I am involved in at this time, including the docuseries that my son and I are producing, along with a music release,” he said.

He continued, “I’d like to add that everywhere we go together, people refer to my son K.C. as my twin. I’m proud of him for who he is as a person: a caring, thoughtful human being who respects me and I him.”

John also explicitly shut down Shannon’s claims, saying, “This story about neglect is false and unmerited. The real truth will come out soon and you will hear it from me. Believe it.”

The Los Angeles Police Department ultimately did not find any evidence of elder abuse. They closed the investigation in April 2024.

After shutting down the claims, John told People in December 2023 that he and Shannon have “what might be best described in the tabloids is an acrimonious relationship.”

He said, “But everything heals in time, and the love is still there.”