On Monday, 8 December 1980, John Lennon was shot dead by Mark David Chapman in the archway of the Dakota, his residence in New York City. Lennon had just returned from Record Plant Studio with his wife, Yoko Ono. After sustaining four major gunshot wounds, Lennon was pronounced dead on arrival at Roosevelt Hospital. Shortly after local news stations reported Lennon's death, crowds gathered at Roosevelt Hospital and in front of the Dakota. The first media report of Lennon's death to a US national audience was announced by Howard Cosell, on ABC's Monday Night Football. (below)
Lennon was cremated at the Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York, two days after his death; the ashes were given to Ono, who chose not to hold a funeral for him.
Chapman admitted to the murder of Lennon and was sentenced to 20 years to life imprisonment. Chapman has remained in prison since having been denied parole eleven times amidst campaigns against his release after becoming eligible in 2000.
