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Reporter's firsthand account of Lennon's tragic end
10 Dec, 2025
Summary
- A reporter recounts being first on the scene of John Lennon's death.
- He interviewed Yoko Ono two years later, who felt Lennon was still alive.
- The reporter was a young fan new to New York when the event occurred.
On December 8, 1980, a journalist received news of gunshots at The Dakota and rushed to the scene, later confirming John Lennon's death. He was the first BBC reporter to broadcast live from outside the apartment building.
He recounts being a young fan in New York at the time, deeply affected by the loss. Two years later, he interviewed Yoko Ono and their son Sean. Ono shared her belief that Lennon's spirit remained alive and would endure.
Reflecting on the event decades later, the journalist recalls the surreal experience of reporting such monumental news. He highlights Ono's powerful sentiment that Lennon's essence could not be extinguished, a message that resonated deeply.
