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How did Malikah Shabazz die? Malcolm X's daughter, 56, found dead inside NYC home

'She was one of the unborn twins that Betty Shabazz was carrying when Malcolm X was assassinated in 1965'

Malikah Shabazz, one of the daughters of Malcolm X, was found dead inside her home in Brooklyn, New York City on Monday, November 22, 2021. The 56-year-old was found by her daughter at around 4:40 pm inside her Midwood Residence. Her tragic and untimely death was mourned by Bernice King, the daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., who tweeted, "I’m deeply saddened by the death of Malikah Shabazz. My heart goes out to her family, the descendants of Dr. Betty Shabazz and Malcolm X. Dr. Shabazz was pregnant with Malikah and her twin sister, Malaak when Brother Malcolm was assassinated. Be at peace, Malikah."

Malikah and her twin sister Malaak are the youngest among Malcolm X's six daughters. They did not get to meet their father, as they were born seven months after his assassination. Betty Shabazz was pregnant with Malikah and Malaak when the noted human rights activist was killed in February 1965. 

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Malikah was born on September 30, 1965 and followed the Islamic faith like her parents. She made rare public appearances at programmes organized in her father's memory. Not many details are known about her work and personal life. 

However, it is believed that Malikah Saban Shabazz spent a troubled life. In 2017, she and her daughter Bettih Bahiyah Shabazz were arrested on charges of truck theft and animal abuse. The mother-daughter duo was nabbed in New Hampshire for stealing a rental truck in southern Maryland where seven pit bulls were found in inhumane conditions. The dogs were locked in crates and covered in their own feces. One of the canines was found with several wounds on its face, neck, and eyes. The animals were later taken to a shelter for treatment. Meanwhile, Malikah told the police that she was the owner of all the dogs. She and Bettih were later released after posting bonds of $2,000 each. Though the latest update on the case is unknown, though the pair would have faced up to 20 years in prison and $20,000 fine if convicted. 

The exact cause of Malikah's death has not been disclosed. Police do not suspect any foul play yet but have not ruled out any possible causes until the autopsy results are out. However, many are skeptical about the eerie timing of her death, which happened just a week after her father's convicted killers Muhammad Aziz and late Khalil Islam were exonerated. "Something about the sudden death of Malikah Shabazz isn’t sitting right with me," a Twitter user speculated. Another conspiracy theorist tweeted, "Malcolm X's daughter, Malikah Shabazz, dead at 56. She died on the day leaving 39 days in the year... AND 39 weeks after Malcolm X's death anniversary. Malcolm X died at the age of 39. In Gematria "Daughter" sums to 39. #LearnGematria."

Malikah's death was mourned on social media by admirers of Malcolm X and Dr Betty Shabazz. "Malikah Shabazz, the youngest daughter of Malcolm X, has been found dead in her home. She was one of the unborn twins that Betty Shabazz was carrying when Malcolm X was assassinated in 1965. My condolences to the Shabazz family. RIP #MalikahShabazz," tweeted Professor Amro Ali.

"She was a good Muslimah who carried on the legacy of her great father #MalcomX," a user noted. "I pray that Allah has mercy upon Malikah Shabazz. My prayers are with the entire Shabazz family at this time. This is such a tragedy," a third user tweeted.