His son also followed a musical career and was known professionally as “The Big Bopper, Jr.”, performing around the world. He toured on the “Winter Dance Party” tour with Buddy Holly impersonator John Mueller on some of the same stages where his father had performed.
In January 2007, Jay Richardson requested that his father’s body be exhumed and an autopsy be performed in response to an internet rumor about guns being fired aboard the aircraft and Richardson initially surviving the crash. The autopsy was performed by William M. Bass, a forensic anthropologist at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Richardson was present throughout the autopsy and observed the casket as it was opened.
Both men were surprised that the remains were well enough preserved to be recognized as those of the late rock star. “Dad still amazes me 48 years after his death, that he was in remarkable shape,” Richardson told the Associated Press. “I surprised myself. I handled it better than I thought I would.” Bass’s findings indicated no signs of foul play. “There are fractures from head to toe. Massive fractures…. [Richardson] died immediately. He didn’t crawl away. He didn’t walk away from the plane.”
Richardson’s body was placed in a new casket made by the same company as the original and was reburied next to his wife in Beaumont’s Forest Lawn Cemetery. Jay Richardson allowed the old casket to be displayed at the Texas Musicians Museum. In December 2008, he announced that he would be placing the old casket up for auction on eBay, donating a share of the proceeds to the Texas Musicians Museum, but Jay downplayed the suggestion in later interviews.
He died of heart failure in 2013. The family announced “It is with great sadness that we must tell you that Jay P Richardson has passed away. After a long hard fight, JP succumbed on the morning of August 21, at the age of 54”.
“The Big Bopper, Jr.” died in 2013. The “DARK Truth” was an internet rumor that guns were on board the plane.