NEW YORK (AP) — Although it’s a bestseller on Amazon, the late Kim Porter did not write a memoir recounting an abusive relationship with her longtime partner. Sean “Diddy” Combs, their children said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Kim’s Lost Words: A Journey for Justice from the Other Side…” was published independently on Amazon in early September, over a week before Combs’ arrest in New York and the opening of a Charges against him. It is said to be based on Porter’s diary and notes.
Porter’s children Quincy, Christian, Jessie and D’Lila described the book as a pure invention in a Collective statement on Instagram later Tuesday.
“Claims that our mother has written a book are simply false. She has not, and anyone claiming to have a manuscript is misrepresenting themselves,” the statement said. “Any so-called ‘friend’ who speaks on behalf of our mother or her family is not a friend, nor does he have their best interests at heart.”
Christian, Jessie and D’Lila are the children of Porter and Combs, and Quincy is Porter’s son from a previous relationship but was largely raised by Combs. Their testimony is the first they have given since Combs’ arrest, and it does not directly address the criminal case against him.
Likely in response to the book’s alleged details of the violence Combs inflicted on Porter, the children said the amount of “hurtful and false rumors” circulating about their parents’ relationship compelled them to talk about it.
Porter died of pneumonia in November 2018 at the age of 47, according to her autopsy report, which determined that she died of natural causes. At the time of her death, Combs said he and the former model and actor were “more than best friends” and “more than soul mates.”
The book’s disclaimers section claims that Porter’s death was the result of a crime. Her children said they were “deeply saddened that the world has made a spectacle out of the most tragic event of our lives,” pointing out that her cause of death had been determined for years and that no crime was committed.
A preview of the short book is riddled with typos and errors and describes physical abuse, sexual assault and other acts of violence allegedly committed by Combs. The $22 paperback was quietly released on Amazon, but surged after news of Combs’ arrest and the shocking details of the chargesIt reached number 1 on the Amazon bestseller list, but has since fallen in the rankings.
The author of the book is Jamal T. Millwood, who writes “for” Kimberly A. Porter. Millwood is a name that conspiracy theorists use as an alias for the late rapper Tupac Shakur. 1996 Death by firearm use was allegedly staged.
Rolling Stone reported on Monday that Chris Todd, whose real name is Todd Christopher Guzze, is the author behind the pseudonym. Todd told Rolling Stone he could not confirm the authenticity of the book and that he received a USB stick containing the book from two “music industry sources.” He insists he “believes it to be true.”
Todd was not immediately available for comment.
