ISAAC HAYES 'APPARENTLY DIED OF STROKE': Plus, family releases statement; memorial service set; Richard Roundtree reflects. (August 13, 2008) An autopsy has yet to be completed on Isaac Hayes, but authorities in Memphis said Tuesday that the soul legend apparently died of a stroke. Sheriff's spokesman Steve Shular said that paperwork filed by Hayes' family physician, Dr. David Kraus, lists the cause of death as a stroke, reports The Associated Press. No official determination has been released by the medical examiner's office or filed with the Memphis health department, which issues death certificates. On Sunday, family members found Hayes laying unconscious on the floor of his Memphis home beside a treadmill that was still running. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital an hour later. Relatives said Hayes was under a doctor's care but did not provide further details. The family issued the following statement: "We are overwhelmed with the outpouring of support and love from Isaac's dear friends, colleagues and fans from every corner of the world, and we thank each and every one of them for their kind thoughts and prayers. While he was an iconic figure to many, to us he was husband, father and friend. We will ever miss his love, wisdom, humor and the familiar comfort of his voice." Isaac Hayes is survived by his wife of three years Adjowa Hayes, and their 2-year-old son Kwadjo Hayes; ten children, Jacqueline Fields, Felecia Hayes Fisher, Veronica Hayes, Vincent Hayes, Melanie Hayes, Nikki McGhee, Heather Hayes, Isaac Hayes III, Darius Caston and Lillian Bryant; 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held in Cordova, Tennessee on Monday at Hope Presbyterian Church (8500 Walnut Grove) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. To celebrate Hayes constant support of the Stax Music Academy and his Stax Records Legacy, the Hayes family, in lieu of flowers, requests that donations be sent to the Stax Music Academy in Memphis, made out to Soulsville, 926 E. McLemore Avenue, Memphis, TN 38106. (Please specify "In memory of Isaac Hayes.") Condolences may be sent to the family at message@isaachayes.com. Ashanti, whose hit "Rain on Me" sampled Hayes' 1970 hit "The Look of Love," spoke to People magazine about his influence on her generation of singers. "Isaac Hayes helped pave the way for so many artists like myself," said the singer. "I also had the honor of meeting him several times – he was always so sweet like an older uncle." Also commenting on Hayes' passing is Richard Roundtree, who played the title character of the 1971 movie, "Shaft," for which Hayes's movie theme song won both an Oscar and a Grammy. "He was a warm, gentle soul," Roundtree told People magazine. "During those special times when you were with someone that you fancied, if you put on Isaac Hayes, it set a really romantic mood. You'd put on Isaac Hayes and follow it with Barry White, and it was a special evening."
He's a scientoloists, no autopsy There's a lot of controversy stirring the city right now because of Hayes 's beliefs. The stroke was diagnosed without an autopsy being performed because Scientology forbids it.A lot of Blacks in the city didn't know Hayes was a member....so a lot of conspiracy theories are floating around on the black radio stations:-(
I would not be surprised if any Scientology members told the family not to have that autopsy. It will bring suspect to that group.
