The Enigma of Puff's Father

Sean Diddy Combs is widely recognized for his ventures in music, fashion, fragrance, and spirits. Yet, his father, Melvin Combs, was involved in a very different worldone that ended tragically when a friend in the criminal underworld lured him into a fatal situation. VIBE explores the story of Melvin Combs death.

It began with a car parked on 106th Street and Central Park West. Witnesses recall a woman rushing into Smalls Paradise, shouting, They killed Melvin! Claude Helton, a longtime associate of Melvin, went to investigate and found the car, confirming the shocking scene: Melvin had been shot in the head at close range.

Helton, now in his late 60s, reflects on his old friend with a mix of nostalgia and sorrow. He recalls how Melvin, a charismatic and stylish man, had entered the drug trade in the late 1960s. In the weeks leading up to his murder, whispers circulated in the community about Melvins fate.

Melvin Combs was just 33 when he was killed on January 26, 1972. He left behind a young wife, Janice, and a two-year-old son, Sean John Combs. For years, Sean was told his father died in a car accident, unaware of the true circumstances surrounding Melvins life and death.

Melvin had been involved with a powerful heroin ring led by Willie Abraham, which allegedly moved millions of dollars worth of drugs in New York and New Jersey. Though Melvin was not the top figure in the organization, his role put him in dangerous circles. Some believe his death was connected to suspicions that he had cooperated with authorities following his arrest, though friends like Frank Lucas insist he would never betray his associates.

Melvins early life shaped him in ways that foreshadowed his future. Born on April 15, 1939, in East Baltimore, he moved to New York with his siblings after the death of his mother. He grew up in the Patterson Houses in the Bronx, where he formed lifelong bonds with neighbors like Elbert Shamsid-Deen and Wallace Hasan. Known for his charm, athleticism, and sharp sense of style, Melvin gradually became drawn to the allure of fast money and the street life.

By the late 1960s, Melvin had transitioned from a hair salon worker into a drug dealer, joining a network of high-level operators. Despite his criminal activities, he remained a devoted father and husband, though he also maintained relationships with other women involved in the street operations.

The rapid dismantling of Abrahams network in late 1971arrests of key figures and seizure of narcoticsculminated in Melvins own arrest. He was killed only two weeks later, raising questions among his friends about whether he had been perceived as a threat or informant.

Helton, who witnessed Melvins final moments through later accounts, recounts that Melvins death was orchestrated by someone he trusted. He had no idea what was about to happen, Helton says, describing the setup that led to Melvin being shot while seated in his car.

Despite the violence surrounding his fathers life, Sean Combs eventually uncovered the truth: Melvin had been involved in the drug trade. His mother, Janice, had moved the family out of Harlem to provide a safer environment, but the reality of Melvins past remained inescapable.

As Sean grew older, he sought answers about the man his father had been. Through conversations with Melvins old friends and acquaintances, he pieced together a portrait of a man who was both a family figure and a participant in the perilous world of street crime. Helton recalls Seans keen interest in understanding his father, even carrying a photograph of Melvin to preserve the connection.

Melvins life was a blend of charm, risk, and ambition, from his early days in the Bronx projects to his rise in the underground drug scene. His story may never reach the cinematic heights of a Hollywood biopic, yet through his sons success and persistence, Melvin Combs legacy endures.

Today, those who knew him reflect on a man whose choices brought both wealth and danger, style and tragedy. His brief but impactful presence in Harlems streets left an indelible mark, not only on those who knew him but on the legacy carried forward by his son, Sean Diddy Combs.

Author: Gavin Porter