On December 8, 1980, the whole world was shocked to hear former Beatle, John Lennon, had been murdered that evening outside his New York apartment building.
Lennon unknowingly autographed the album, dedicating it to Mark Chapman, just hours before the obsessed fan returned with a gun and shot him. Chapman tossed the album as he ran from the scene, where it was later discovered by a maintenance worker and handed over to police.
The gruesome artefact was sold by auction in 1999 and the current owner, who remains anonymous, has decided to auction it off after receiving death threats. The current asking price is $850,000.
After 30 years in prison, Mark Chapman was turned down for parole earlier this year. While the convicted killer will be again eligible for parole again in two years, Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono, is strongly opposed to his release.