Former five-weight world champion Floyd Mayweather was reportedly on a FaceTime call with his friend Earl Hayes on December 8, 2014, when the rapper murdered his wife, actress Stephanie Moseley, before taking his own life.
The harrowing event took place at the Palazzo East apartments in Los Angeles, where Floyd Mayweather reportedly attempted to de-escalate a heated argument between the couple in the moments leading up to the gunfire.
Authorities confirmed both individuals died from gunshot wounds in a locked bathroom, marking one of the most tragic incidents linked to the boxer’s inner circle.
The tragedy remains a chilling footnote in the career of the 50-0 fighter. According to reports from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) at the time, officers arrived at the scene after neighbors reported screams and the sound of shots being fired.
Upon entry, the SWAT team discovered the bodies of Earl Hayes and Stephanie Moseley. Evidence suggested that Earl Hayes had initiated the call to Floyd Mayweather essentially to vent his frustrations regarding his marriage.
Witnesses and family friends later indicated that Earl Hayes had contacted Floyd Mayweather during a period of deep personal distress. The rapper, who was a member of “The Money Team” and a recording artist, was reportedly suspicious regarding his wife’s fidelity. Floyd Mayweather allegedly spent several minutes on the call trying to talk his friend down and calm the situation before the violence erupted.
The impact of Stephanie Moseley on the entertainment industry
The death of Stephanie Moseley caused significant grief across Hollywood and the professional dance community. A Canadian-born talent, Stephanie Moseley was a prominent figure on the VH1 series “Hit the Floor.” Her career was spent performing alongside top-tier musical acts, establishing her as a respected professional in the industry long before the tragedy occurred.
Following the event, VH1 released a statement expressing devastation and offering condolences to her family. Friends of the couple also spoke out in the aftermath, noting that the actions of Earl Hayes seemed entirely at odds with the person they knew.
Many described the rapper as a talented and caring person, making the murder-suicide even more difficult for those in the Los Angeles social scene to process.
While the incident took place over a decade ago, it serves as a reminder of the personal turmoil that has occasionally shadowed Floyd Mayweather’s professional success. In a sport where fighters like Roberto Duran earned fame for their longevity and ring IQ, Floyd Mayweather often found his private life making headlines for far more somber reasons.
Personal tragedies and the inner circle of Floyd Mayweather
This shooting was not the only instance where violence or sudden loss intersected with the life of the undefeated champion. Floyd Mayweather has navigated several personal crises while maintaining his status at the top of the boxing world. For instance, he was once present during a drive-by shooting in which one of his personal bodyguards was struck and injured by gunfire.
The boxer also dealt with the loss of Josie Harris, the mother of three of his children, who was found dead in her car on March 10, 2020. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner later determined that the 40-year-old’s death was the result of an accidental drug overdose.
These events have contributed to a complex public persona for the man frequently cited as the best defensive fighter in history.
Some fans still struggle to reconcile the flashy lifestyle of “Money” Mayweather with the darker moments he has witnessed. Just as modern figures like Shakur Stevenson face scrutiny for their public image, Floyd Mayweather’s association with Earl Hayes has left a permanent mark on his legacy that transcends his work inside the ropes.
The aftermath and lasting legacy of a forgotten crime
Despite the severity of the December 2014 incident, many newer boxing fans remain unaware that Floyd Mayweather was a direct witness via FaceTime. He was never a suspect in the crime, but the nature of his proximity—listening as a friend took a life and then his own—remains one of the most disturbing anecdotes in modern sports history.
The LAPD investigation eventually closed the case as a murder-suicide, confirming there were no other parties physically involved in the violence. For Floyd Mayweather, the event was a traumatic collision of his business interests, his friendships, and the volatile reality of the North American entertainment world. It highlighted the unpredictability of the circles he moved in at the height of his fame.
Today, the story resurfaces occasionally as a stark reminder of the human cost behind the headlines. While the boxing world continues to move toward major events like the com/tyson-fury-vs-anthony-joshua-date-revealed-update/”>Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua clash, the history of the sport remains littered with these moments of real-world tragedy that no amount of championship gold can erase. For those who were around in 2014, the Earl Hayes case remains an unforgettable chapter of a storied and often controversial life.
