Rapper Lil Phat, 19, was murdered in the parking lot of an Atlanta hospital in June 2012. One year later, it appears that he was murdered by a Russian mobster and former college basketball star.
According to reports, Lil Phat , whose real name is Melvin Vernell, leased a stolen BMW from mobster Mani Chulpayev. However, the deal went sour and Chulpayev begin to harass Lil Phat. Apparently, Chulpayev hired former college basketball star Decensae White to kill Lil Phat. White was a star high school recruit out of the Bay Area in 2006.
White transferred twice, but finished his basketball career at San Francisco State. He made headlines after shooting a half court buzzer beater during a 2012 Division III basketball game. After his career, White moved to Atlanta to pursue a career in rap.
Lil Phat was featured on Webbie’s hit single “Independent” in 2010. He released four mixtapes and was building a buzz in the Texas/Louisiana rap scene before his untimely death.
Watch Lil Phat in “Independent”:
Watch Decensae White:
