Monrovia, Liberia — A longtime friend of Liberian economist Samuel Jackson has publicly alleged that he previously witnessed incidents of physical abuse involving Jackson’s late wife, Toni Jackson, who died on Friday, March 13, 2026.
In a detailed statement released Saturday, Rufus S. Berry II said he felt a “moral obligation to speak the truth” about what he described as past violence against Toni Jackson, whom he affectionately referred to as the “Zulu Queen.”
Berry said his friendship with Samuel Jackson spans more than three decades and began through the Coalition of Concerned Liberians, an online forum where Liberian professionals debated national issues during and after the country’s civil conflict.
According to Berry, he first witnessed signs of alleged abuse during a flight from Accra to Monrovia, when Toni Jackson reportedly showed him severe bruising around her eyes. Berry said she told him Jackson had beaten her.
Months later, Berry claims he saw similar injuries when he met the couple at the Royal Hotel in Monrovia. He alleged that Toni again revealed bruises on her face, shoulders, and back and accused her husband of assault.
Berry said he confronted Samuel Jackson about the incidents and later reported the matter to Gregory Coleman following news of Toni Jackson’s death.
Police have not yet released an official cause of death, but authorities say the matter is under investigation. Berry has called for a full and transparent probe, stating that “Toni Jackson deserves justice.”
