News 12 at 11, March 12, 2010

AUGUSTA, Ga.---More than three years after his death, James Brown is still making headlines. Friday allegations from his illegitimate daughter set off a media storm about the whereabouts of Brown's body.

It's a story that started in London.

Questions went flying after Brown's illegitimate daughter told a British newspaper her father's body had been moved away from it's crypt to avoid an autopsy.

Years after the Godfather of Soul's death and he's still making headlines. This time, it's a mystery about his body.

"That seems ridiculous to me. I just can't imagine why the body would be moved," says Don Rhodes.

Rhodes chronicles his 40-year friendship with Brown in his book, Say it Loud! He was surprised to hear Brown's illegitimate daughter, LaRhonda Petitt, told a UK newspaper her father's body had been moved from Beech Island, to avoid an autopsy.

Petitt claims prescription drug use led to her father's death, and not a heart attack.

Rhodes says Brown wasn't perfect. "James was a human being. He struggled with these problems, and he tried to overcome them and sometimes he'd slip and fall but you know, we all slip and fall sometimes," says Rhodes.

The story ran in the Daily Mail, a London tabloid and seemed to be a shock to Brown's family here.

They insist Brown's body has not been moved from it's crypt at his daughter Deanna Brown's home. She tells News 12 "I do not know where Ms. Pettit is getting her rumored information. This is a private matter for the family."

"James Brown was larger than life and that's one reason why I think he'll be around forever and It's going to continue to get more and more as time passes, the legend will continue to grow," says Rhodes.

"Still making headlines today all over the world," he adds.

News 12 did check with the Aiken County Coroner's office, they say you need a permit to move a body, and nothing has been filed with them. There is also no open investigation.

The family says a memorial at James Brown's estate is still in the works. Deanna Brown told us "at an appropriate time his fans and spectators around the world will be able to visit a memorial for the "God-father of soul.'"