-Rufus Berry Speaks Out on Death of Economist Samuel Jackson’s Wife, Calls for Full Investigation
MONROVIA — A longtime friend of prominent Liberian economist and political commentator Samuel P. Jackson has publicly spoken out following the sudden death of Jackson’s wife, urging authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding her passing.
Rufus S. Berry II, who says he has known Jackson for more than three decades, disclosed that he personally contacted Gregory O. W. Coleman to inform the police about incidents of alleged domestic abuse he claims to have witnessed involving Jackson and his late wife, Toni.
Berry said his decision to speak publicly was driven by what he described as a “moral obligation to tell the truth.”
“I realized that silence would make me complicit,” Berry said in a detailed statement recounting his relationship with the couple. “Integrity means doing the right thing and telling the truth, even when it is uncomfortable, even when it involves people we know, and even when no one is watching.”
A Long Friendship
Berry said his friendship with Jackson dates back more than 30 years, beginning during discussions on an online platform known as the Coalition of Concerned Liberians, a forum where Liberian professionals debated issues relating to politics, governance, and national development.
According to Berry, the two men maintained a close relationship over the years despite frequently disagreeing on political and economic issues.
“Samuel Jackson and I were active members of that respected forum,” Berry said. “Our differences never weakened our friendship. On the contrary, they strengthened a bond built on mutual respect and intellectual honesty.”
Berry recalled that Jackson later introduced him to his South African wife, Toni, whom Jackson affectionately referred to as his “Zulu Queen.”
“One day Samuel called me excitedly to share that he had met an extraordinarily beautiful and highly educated South African woman from a prominent and wealthy family,” Berry said.
Over time, Berry said he developed a close relationship with the couple, sharing meals and social gatherings with them at places such as the Royal Hotel and Terra Cotta Restaurant in Monrovia, and hosting them at his home in Marshall.
“Over time she became like family,” Berry said of Toni.
Allegations of Abuse
However, Berry said his perception of Jackson changed dramatically after an incident he claims to have witnessed during a flight from Accra, Ghana, to Liberia.
According to Berry, Toni approached him during the flight wearing dark sunglasses and sat beside him before quietly removing them.
“What I saw shocked me beyond imagination,” Berry said. “Her eyes were severely bruised, dark, swollen, and unmistakably the result of violent beating.”
Berry said Toni told him: “Rufus, you see what your brother did to me.”
He said he immediately confronted Jackson.
“I told him he should be ashamed of himself, that real men do not beat women, and that I have absolutely no respect for men who abuse women,” Berry recounted.
Berry said Jackson did not respond to the confrontation.
Months later, Berry said he encountered the couple again at the Royal Hotel in Monrovia and noticed Toni wearing dark sunglasses.
When he asked what happened, Berry said she removed them and revealed bruises on her eyes, shoulders, and back.
“She said, ‘Rufus, Sam beat me again,’” Berry said.
According to Berry, Jackson allegedly responded by saying his wife had been “acting frisky” and that he had to “teach her a lesson.”
“I told him plainly that he had serious mental problems and desperately needed help,” Berry said.
Death of Toni Jackson
Berry said he later learned of Toni’s death through a phone call from a friend while driving to work.
The friend informed him that Jackson had posted on social media announcing that his wife had died.
Berry said he immediately called Jackson to ask what happened.
“Rufus, your girl fell at home and died at JFK,” Berry said Jackson told him, referring to the John F. Kennedy Medical Center.
The news, Berry said, brought back memories of the alleged abuse he had previously witnessed.
Contact With Police
Berry said he then contacted Liberia’s police chief to share what he knew.
“I immediately contacted Police Commissioner Gregory Coleman and informed him about the two incidents of severe abuse that I personally witnessed,” Berry said.
He added that he is willing to provide a formal statement to investigators if requested.
Call for Justice
While emphasizing that Jackson is presumed innocent until proven guilty, Berry insisted that the allegations must be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly.
“A man with a demonstrated pattern of brutal violence toward his wife is capable of causing fatal harm, whether intentionally or accidentally,” Berry said.
“This matter must be thoroughly investigated. If it is determined that Samuel Jackson caused the death of his wife, he must face the full weight of the law.”
Berry ended his statement by calling for prayers for Toni, whom he described as deeply loved by those who knew her.
“Toni Jackson, our beloved ‘Zulu Queen,’ deserves justice,” he said.
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