American rapper Silento, best known for his viral hit "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)," has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to the murder of his cousin in 2021.
The 27-year-old musician, whose real name is Richard Lamar Hawk, received the sentence after admitting to possession of a firearm and aggravated assault charges in connection with the killing of his 34-year-old cousin, Frederick Rooks III.
Details of the Murder Case
According to BenriNews reports, Silento confessed to shooting Rooks multiple times in January 2021. DeKalb County Police Department discovered Rooks' body with several gunshot wounds on January 21, 2021.
Investigators revealed that prior to the murder, the deceased was last seen with Silento in a white BMW SUV. Security footage from a neighbor's home captured the same vehicle speeding away from the crime scene shortly after gunshots were heard.
History of Mental Health Issues
Following Silento's arrest, his PR manager Chanel Hudson released a statement claiming that the rapper "has been suffering from series of mental health illnesses for the past several years."
This wasn't Silento's first brush with the law. In August 2020, he faced two counts of assault after allegedly attacking two people with a hatchet in their home.
The rapper had previously spoken about his mental health struggles during a 2019 interview on the medical talk show 'The Doctors,' where he stated: "I have been fighting demons my whole life. I don't know if these demons will ever go away."
Silento rose to fame in 2015 with his debut single "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)," which became a global sensation and spawned a popular dance challenge.
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