Robert Hoobler dead at 65 – ‘Uncle Bob’ cop who saved Lil Wayne after rapper tried to kill himself aged 12 dies at home
THE police officer who saved Lil Wayne after the rapper tried to kill himself aged 12 has died.
Robert Hoobler, 65, was found dead at his home in New Orleans on Friday.
The retired cop had been dubbed “Uncle Bob” by Lil Wayne after he was credited with saving the rapper’s life.
He carried the then 12-year-old in the back of a police cruiser after being told there no ambulance immediately available.
Nurses told the officer: “If y’all had waited for [an ambulance], … he would have died.”
Speaking in 2009 Hoobler said: “I’m proud of what he’s done. But I would’ve done the same for the guy no one ever heard about again.”
A cause of death has not been released.
Grammy award winning Lil Wayne – real name Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. – shot himself in the chest as a youngster.
He opened up about his battles with depression and suicide attempt in 2021.
He said: “How I knew I had mental health problems was I pulled the trigger.”
The rapper – who has sold more than 120 million records – thanked Hoobler while accepting an award in 2018.
And in 2020, discussing the protests surrounding the death of George Floyd, Lil Wayne said: “My life was saved by a white cop.
“So … you have to understand the way I view police.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.
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