Back in 1997, Eddie Murphy found himself at the center of a scandal that still sparks conversations to this day. Around 4:45 AM, LAPD pulled over the Hollywood star after he was seen picking up a transgender street worker on Santa Monica Boulevard. The encounter raised eyebrows not just because of who was in the car, but also because of the timing — Murphy’s wife and kids were reportedly out of town.

Murphy later told reporters that he was simply being a “Good Samaritan.” He claimed he was headed to a late-night bookstore when he noticed someone on the street corner who appeared to be crying. According to him, the individual recognized him and asked for a ride home, and he agreed out of kindness. No charges were filed against Murphy, but the passenger, identified as Shalimar Seiuli, was arrested due to an outstanding warrant.

The story didn’t end there. Just one year later, Shalimar Seiuli was found dead under suspicious circumstances outside her Los Angeles apartment. Authorities claimed it was an accidental fall during an attempt to re-enter her apartment using a towel as a rope, but many in the LGBTQ+ community and beyond have questioned that official story.

Whether it was truly a case of bad timing or something deeper, the Eddie Murphy incident remains one of the most talked-about celebrity scandals from that era — with an ending that still leaves people wondering what really happened.