RIP Did You Know .... Gone Too Soon!

Ray Vitte,  I'm currently doing research on Ray Vitte and his family, when he passed his wife was three months pregnant with this son E. Gehah G. Vitte, who never got the chance to know his father.  The police on duty that night story had so many holes in it.

With that said, earlier I printed a story and did not give proper credit to it's author, so I'd like to apologize to Brenda John and share her words, I found what she had to say and contribute very riveting to say the least.

I wrote this short article about Ray Vitte to counter some grave misinformation that a supposedly eye witness had written claiming that Mr. Vitte was arrested at a third rate motel in LA high on drugs and have fought with the LAPD. None of which was accurate or true.

In early 1999, in March to be exact, I had tried to obtain a copy of Ray Vitte's death certificate, but strangely it had a "security hold" on it by orders of the LAPD and Coroners Office.

"Ray Vitte's death was not at all attributed to drug usage. Both the autopsy and the subsequent toxicology studies showed no indication. Ray Vitte did not die in a third rate motel. He in fact died at his Studio City apartment that he shared with his wife, Ernesta Vitte, After suffering what seemed to be a psychotic breakdown that lasted for eleven hours inside his Studio City. According to the coroner's report,Ray Vitte died of liver degeneration as well as heart failure. As to be expected, his family disputes those findings and instead believes that Mr. Vitte died as a result of the physical struggle he had with the police authorities the evening of his death. There has never been a clear explanation for why Ray Vitte had been screaming and shouting during the day and the evening the police were called to his residency in Studio City. His wife was not at home when the police arrived, so she could offer no explanation for his behavior that night. Though there is some indication that Ray Vitte has been suffering from an undisclosed medical problem. Earlier in the month (February 11, 1983 to be exact), Mr Vitte had been hospitalized for an indefinite period to determine the cause of a lingering fever."

I had the pleasure of speaking to Mr. Vitte's widow Ernesta on two occasions. By the way, the attorney who represented Mrs. Vitte in her lawsuit against the LAPD, was none other than the late Johnny Cochran.

Respectfully,

Brenda JohnBrendaJohn.917@gmail.com


****************************************************************************** Birth Place: New York City, New York, USA
Birth Date: November 20, 1949
Death Day: February 20, 1983
Occupation: Actor

Ray's resume' in film

The Quest(1983)
Grambling's White Tiger (1981)
Heart Beat (1980)
Nine to Five (1980)
The Man in the Santa Claus Suit (1979)
A Force of One (1979)
Up in Smoke (1978)
Thank God It's Friday (1978)
Car Wash (1976)
America, You're On (1975)
Sky Heist (1975)
Airport 1975 (1974)

** I created this weekly tribute dedicated to the stars who for one reason or another did not receive the send off through the media that they deserved. Please join me every Tuesday as I continue to celebrate 'LIFE'. Ray Vitte's star was on the rise, but was interrupted. People will live on as long as we remember them.  Thank you Ray for your contribution to this world and through your artistry, you will live on forever.  Thanks again Ms. John for your great story and for correcting me. kk **