'Shockingly, we were not notified': Family, friends of John Amos say they learned of actor's death in media reports

The family and close friends of actor John Amos, some of whom live in Colorado, said they were shocked after learning of his death through media reports Tuesday.

Amos, who starred on the 1970s sitcom "Good Times" and was nominated for an Emmy for his role in the 1977 miniseries "Roots," died Aug. 21 of natural causes in Los Angeles, his publicist Belinder Foster told the Associated Press.

"Shockingly, we were not notified, nor were any family members informed," the family said in a statement. "This tragic news has left us in shock and heartache. We do not have a death certificate, nor do we know where or why he died."

The statement was sent on behalf of Amos' daughter, Shannon Amos, and eight other family members and close friends, including Leslie Franklin — a close friend of more than 60 years who said he considered Amos his brother.

The family said the 84-year-old actor was suffering from congestive heart failure and dementia. They were upset to have found out about his death 45 days after he passed away.

The Denver Gazette requested an autopsy report and official cause of death from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office, but the office referred to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health for a death certificate.

The statement said Amos had been isolated from his family and close friends in his final days and made accusations that Amos may have been neglected in his final days. The family said they received a photo from concerned neighbors and a medical professional that they said led to an elder abuse investigation.

Amos had ties to Colorado. He played football at Colorado State University, and was later signed by the Denver Broncos. However, Amos was released two days into training camp in 1964 after a hamstring injury, according to the Kansas City Chiefs' website.

Franklin told The Denver Gazette in a phone call Wednesday that the elder Amos had run into financial troubles and had been living rent-free in a home on a ranch in Westcliffe, Colorado, for more than eight years. During that time, he had good care, Franklin said, with access to doctors, medicine that he needed and he was given free meals every day by a local restauranteur.

However, Franklin said that changed a year ago when Amos' son KC showed up. Franklin said he'd discovered a Beverly Hills bank account belonging to Amos that his son KC had been accessing. Franklin transferred the funds to an account in Westcliffe.

That's when KC Amos arrived and soon started moving the former actor from place to place, Franklin said. He said Amos was moved "all over the country" including to Pueblo and then Memphis and finally California, with possible trips to Jamaica and Africa interspersed during that time.

The Denver Gazette was unable to reach KC Amos for comment.