This Day in History: Marvin Gaye is shot and killed by his own father

April 1, 1984. Gaye's father — Rev. Marvin Gaye Sr. — shot and killed the Prince of Soul three times in the chest following a physical dispute between the two.It was a day before the soul icon's 45th birthday. Despite winning his first Grammy for "Sexual Healing" just a year before, Gaye was struggling with debt, depression and substance abuse. He had recently moved in with his father and mother. Gaye and his father had a difficult and complicated relationship since Gaye was a boy.