The death of John Lennon is a tragic chapter in the story of The Beatles.
On December 8 1980, the 40-year-old was gunned down in the archway of his Manhattan home. Crazed fan Mark David Chapman shot Lennon four times from close range and despite being rushed to hospital, the former Beatle died.
The world was well and truly shaken, as 30,000 fans gathered in Liverpool for ten minutes silence to remember their hometown hero, as well as over over 225,000 in Central Park, New York.
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Despite the mass mourning, there was no official funeral for John, with Yoko Ono releasing a statement the day after his death. She said: "There is no funeral for John. John loved and prayed for the human race. Please do the same for him. Love, Yoko and Sean."
His remains were cremated at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, Westchester County, New York. His former bandmates reacted differently to the news.
Paul McCartney was initially criticised for his reaction to the death, reporters asked him for his reaction. He responded by saying: "Drag, isn't it?".
He later said that he had meant no disrespect, and was unable to articulate his emotions, due to the shock and sadness he felt.
George Harrison released a statement to the press the day after John's death, he said: "I am shocked and stunned. To rob a life is the ultimate robbery in life. The perpetual encroachment on other people's space is taken to the limit with the use of a gun.
"It is an outrage that people can take other people's lives when they obviously haven't got their own lives in order."
Mark David Chapman was convicted of the murder and sentenced to 20 years to life in prison, which made him eligible for parole in 2000, however he has been denied numerous times. The then 25-year-old had been angered by John Lennon claiming the Beatles were "bigger than Jesus", and had a desire to emulate Holden Caulfield from the book Catcher in the Rye.
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