Dennis Edwards — Temptations Lead Singer Reportedly Abused Before Death

Dennis Edwards entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with The Temptations — but court documents claim that the soul legend died while being brutally abused by his wife!

The shocking allegations were made in a request for an emergency protective order, as seen by The National ENQUIRER — with Dennis dying just weeks after an investigator with Adult Protective Services said that Brenda Edwards had attempted to smother her husband on his own bed! The protect order also accused Brenda of torturing her husband by hiding away the hearing aids of the “bed-bound and immobile” star.

Dennis (at far right) was beloved around the world as the lead singer on classic Temptations tracks, including “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” and “I Can’t Get Next to You.” He passed away in a Chicago hospital on Feb. 1 — with his wife saying the cause of death was complications of meningitis. Police in Chicago, however, aren't so sure!

The court had granted the protective order against Brenda in January. A court date to respond to the investigator's claims had been set for the day after her husband's death. Instead, it was canceled as Chicago police began to look into the circumstances of Dennis' death.

Brenda released a statement on Feb. 5, declaring: “I loved Dennis, and we were married for 18 years. I would have never done anything to harm him. These allegations are false and defamatory and will be proven as such. Until this is all over, I have no further comment.”