John Amos’ Touching Final Wish: Delay Death Announcement to Protect Daughter from Media Frenzy, Says Rep (Exclusive).hienca

John’s daughter and other loved ones claimed they learned of Amos’ death through the media and said they believe his remains were cremated in order to avoid a further investigation into his death

John Amos’ family members and close friends are speaking out about the circumstances behind his death at 84.

On Oct. 2, the late actor’s “collective family and close friends,” including his daughter Shannon Amos and goddaughter Amy Goudy, issued a statement on Facebook about his death and called out his son Kelly Christopher “K.C.” Amos for his alleged treatment of his father in his final days. They also claimed K.C. failed to notify the rest of the family about John’s death, which they felt was suspicious.

Shortly after the message made headlines, Belinda Foster, John’s longtime publicist, who was also named in Goudy’s statement, refuted those claims in an exclusive statement shared with PEOPLE.

“I represented John Amos for over 30 years as his publicist of record,” Foster said. “The media knows this along with John’s agencies of record. Over the years we grew close to one another to the point of a familial relationship. In the last few years, he often referred to me as his ‘daughter.’ This was not a fraud by John, K.C., or myself. He was like a father to me. I deeply mourn his passing.”

“Shannon’s claims that John was abused are false,” Foster continued. “K.C., Eugene and I, along with numerous others cared for him. On several occasions when Shannon claimed that he was abused, law enforcement authorities sat with John and confirmed his well being.”

Family Shocked: John Amos’ Loved Ones Learn of His Death 45 Days Later, Raising Questions About Circumstances and Cremation

In a poignant statement posted to Facebook on Wednesday by John’s goddaughter Amy Goudy, representing herself, Shannon, and others connected to the actor, they expressed their “profound sadness and distress” regarding the circumstances surrounding their father’s passing.

“He was a loving man who brought light into the lives of many. However, our family only learned of his death today through media reports, only to discover he actually passed away 45 days ago,” the statement alleged, expressing their shock and heartache over not being notified.

Lacking a death certificate, they voiced their concerns, stating they were unaware “where or why he died,” although they knew he had been “suffering from congestive heart failure and dementia.” They expressed fears that he may have been cremated to evade potential investigations into the conditions surrounding his final days.

According to a death certificate obtained by PEOPLE on October 2, John passed away from congestive heart failure on August 21 at 5:18 p.m. at a hospital in Inglewood, California. The certificate noted no other significant medical conditions contributing to his death, and no autopsy was performed. It also confirmed that the Good Times star’s remains were cremated on August 30, just nine days after his death. K.C. was listed as the informant who reported his death to Los Angeles County and is believed to be in possession of his father’s ashes.