L.A. Coroner Rules Felicia Tang's Death a Homicide

LOS ANGELES — Adult star Felicia Tang died of asphyxiation, the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner has ruled.

The coroner determined Tang's cause of death after toxicology reports were completed Friday. The reports found traces of cocaine in Tang’s body, as well as gamma hydroxy butyrate, also known as the “date-rape drug.”

Ed Winter, the Coroner Office's assistant chief investigator, told XBIZ that Tang was "smothered and faced blunt trauma."

"It has been confirmed a homicide," Winter said.

Randone faces a preliminary hearing on Thursday at Pasadena Superior Court, where prosecutors will lay out the homicide case, Los Angeles District Attorney spokeswoman Shiara Davila-Morales told XBIZ.

His hearing on Thursday falls on what would have been Tang's 32nd birthday.

Gloria Allred told XBIZ on Tuesday said she couldn’t comment on the coroner’s findings because she hadn’t received a copy of the report. Tang’s family has hired attorney Allred to represent them over publicity and legal matters.

Brian Randone, who is accused of beating and suffocating Tang inside a Monrovia, Calif., apartment they shared, has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which could amount to life imprisonment if convicted. He is being held in lieu of $2 million bail.

At a hearing last month, prosecutors described to Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Terry Smerling that Tang had been beaten with a "coat hanger-like object," then suffocated by having her head held into a pillow or ground into the floor.

Phillip Wojdak, a Los Angeles County deputy district attorney, said that there were "innumerable injuries to Ms. Tang's body" caused by an unknown weapon. Bruising on Tang's body led investigators to believe she was suffocated against a hard surface, without a weapon.

Smerling sealed the photos of Tang's injuries at the arraignment, remarking that "the photos, needless to say, are gruesome."

But Randone's attorney said that he believes the adult star died after Randone was attempting to restrain her “out-of-control” behavior.

Randone, an Omaha, Neb., native, is a former minister and mime who was featured on a 2000 Fox reality show "The Sexiest Bachelor in America." He has lived in the Los Angeles area for most of the decade in Sherman Oaks, Calif., and Burbank, Calif., as well as Monrovia.

Randone ministered at Moody Bible Institute, Dallas Theological Seminary and Taylor University Chapel. He reportedly is part owner of an assisted care facility.

Tang, whose birth name was Felicia Lee, was born in Singapore, raised in Australia, and became an online-adult top draw for seven years, from 2001 to 2008.

She starred in several Playboy TV shows, “Naked Sports,” “7 Lives Exposed” and “Buckwild,” and owned solo-girl site FeliciaTang.com, which now has become a memorial site that her family has taken over.

She also appeared in several Peach DVD movies, including “Asian Fever” and “Hotel Decadence,” and was a Peach Girl.

Tang also had leading parts in several mainstream movies, including “Rush Hour 2,” “Cradle 2 the Grave” and “The Fast and the Furious” and modeled for Sketcher Shoes. She appeared in numerous calendars.

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Pineapple Support Appoints Kasey Kei as Brand Ambassador

Pineapple Support has appointed veteran performer and content creator Kasey Kei as its latest brand ambassador.

Nebraska AV Bill Moves Forward Despite Privacy, Free Speech Concerns

Nebraska’s unicameral Legislature has given first-round approval to LB 1092, the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Eva Maxim, Katrina Colt Headline 'Cumming to LA' From Cherry Kiss

Eva Maxim and Katrina Colt star with Vince Karter in 2021 XBIZ Europas Female Performer of the Year Cherry Kiss' "Cumming to L.A.," from Evil Angel.

AEBN Celebrates 25th Anniversary

The Adult Entertainment Broadcast Network (AEBN) is celebrating its 25th year in business this week.

Performers in Meta Blacklisting Lawsuit Seek to Preserve Antitrust Claims

Adult Performance Artists Guild board officers Alana Evans, Kelly Pierce and Ruby have informed a California court that, although they want to drop their lawsuit claiming that Meta conspired with OnlyFans to blacklist rival premium fan platforms’ talent, they may still pursue antitrust claims in the future.

Skylar Snow Headlines 'Infidelity 4' From Sweet Sinner

Skylar Snow toplines "Infidelity 4," the latest release from Mile High Media studio brand Sweet Sinner.

Serenity Cox Stars in 'Enjoy It' From MILFY

Serenity Cox stars with Alberto Blanco in "Enjoy It," from Vixen Media Group studio imprint MILFY.

Melissa Stratton Stars in Finale of Wicked's 'So Extra'

Melissa Stratton and Robby Apples star in the final scene from Wicked Pictures' "So Extra."

BiPhoria Drops Jim Powers' 'Saying GoodBi'

BiPhoria has released director Jim Powers' "Saying GoodBi."

FSC, Co-Plaintiffs to Ask US Supreme Court to Review Constitutionality of Texas Age Verification Law

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) and its co-plaintiffs in the challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law have petitioned the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit to stay its recent decision upholding the law, because they intend to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to review the law’s constitutionality.

Show More