John Lennon's Killer Reflects On His Motive In Bold New Comments About Singer's Death, Calls His Crime 'Selfish'
By Favour Adegoke on October 20, 2025 at 5:45 PM EDT
Mark David Chapman, the man who assassinated legendary Beatles frontman John Lennon in 1980, has once again reflected on his infamous crime in his parole hearing in August.
He called it "selfish" and admitted that he carried out the murder in a desperate attempt to become “famous.” Despite his appeal, the parole board denied Chapman’s request, and he remains incarcerated at the Green Haven Correctional Facility in Dutchess County.
Mark David Chapman is currently serving a sentence of 20 years to life for John Lennon’s murder and would be eligible for parole again in 2027.
The Convicted Killer Labels His Crime As 'Completely Selfish'
Ahead of the 45th anniversary of the assassination of Beatles singer John Lennon, his killer, Mark David Chapman, was once again up for parole.
In an attempt to convince the panel to grant his release, the 70-year-old made several remarks explaining why he committed the crime and how remorseful he is.
“This was for me and me alone, unfortunately, and it had everything to do with his popularity,” said Chapman, as detailed in an interview transcript from August obtained by the New York Post.
The convicted killer went on to describe his crime as “completely selfish” and apologized to Lennon’s loved ones and fans for the “devastation” he caused when he gunned down the singer.
The Killer Said He Wanted 'To Be Famous'
Elsewhere in the hearing, Mark David Chapman gave more insight into his motive for killing Lennon.
He told a commissioner that he murdered Lennon “to be famous” and “to be something I wasn’t.”
“And then I just realized, hey, there is a goal here,” the killer added. “I don’t have to die, and I can be a somebody."
He continued, "I had sunk that low.”
Mark David Chapman Made Similar Remarks About John Lennon During Previous Parole Hearings
In previous parole hearings, Chapman has made other similar remarks about why he killed the late singer.
Back in 2022, while up for parole for the 12th time, he told the board he committed the crime because he “wanted to be somebody, and nothing was going to stop that.”
At the time, the murderer noted that he only had himself to blame, and he was in full control of his senses when he carried out the act.
“I am not going to blame anything else or anybody else for bringing me there,” said Chapman, per the New York Post. “I knew what I was doing, and I knew it was evil, I knew it was wrong, but I wanted the fame so much that I was willing to give everything and take a human life.”
“I hurt a lot of people all over the place, and if somebody wants to hate me, that’s OK, I get it,” he added.
John Lennon's Murderer Renounced His Desire to Be Famous
Meanwhile, the convicted murderer is now choosing a life of solitude over being famous.
“I don’t have any interest at all in being famous,” he said. “Put me under the rug somewhere. I don’t want to be famous anymore, period.
Ultimately, Chapman's appeal failed to impress the board, leading them to once again deny him parole.
They claimed he lacked “genuine remorse or meaningful empathy" for the victims, a statement that appeared to reference Lennon’s loved ones.
Due to the judgment, Chapman will remain incarcerated at the Green Haven Correctional Facility in Dutchess County, where he is serving 20 to life.
He will have another attempt at being free in 2027 when he comes up for parole once again.
John Lennon Fans May Gather To Celebrate His Anniversary
December will mark the 45th anniversary of the murder of John Lennon, who was shot outside the Dakota apartment building in New York City.
It is likely fans will once again gather to celebrate the legendary singer’s life, as they have done in previous years, including in 2024, when they converged on Strawberry Fields in Central Park.
“For the last 44 years, we’ve celebrated his life,” said Quent Kelleher, one of the many fans who joined in the celebration the previous year, per the New York Post.
“My best friend called me up that night — he lives around the corner — and told me [Lennon] was shot,” Kelleher added. “And we came out here that night, and we’ve been coming out here [since].”
“There are so many different types of people, really, very diverse,” said Valeria Levette, another attendee. “But just to participate in this communal celebration of John … it’s lovely."
