In Memphis, Tennessee, the story of Rico Harris, a 46-year-old Black / African American man also known as "Big Brim," concluded not with a bang, but with a quiet passing that left many questions unanswered. While his death occurred on June 27, 2019, the circumstances surrounding it remain shrouded in a degree of mystery, with no public record of an ensuing homicide investigation.
His life, however, was one deeply enmeshed in the city's criminal underworld, a narrative that stands in stark contrast to the quiet end he seemingly met.
Harris was a significant figure within the Gangster Disciples, a notorious street gang with a strong presence in Memphis. His role was not minor; he was a high-ranking member, and his involvement in the gang's illicit activities was extensive. This ultimately led him to become a target in a massive federal investigation dubbed "Operation. 38 Special," which aimed to dismantle the Gangster Disciples' operations in the region. The investigation painted a picture of a violent enterprise involved in a litany of crimes, including racketeering.
In the spring of 2019, the net closed in on Harris and several other members of the Gangster Disciples. He, along with others, was indicted on federal racketeering charges. Faced with a mountain of evidence, Harris chose to plead guilty to conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity on June 7, 2019. His sentencing was pending, and a lengthy prison term seemed an inevitability. However, just a few weeks after his guilty plea, Rico Harris died. No online sources provide details of any arrests, suspects, or a homicide investigation related to his death. His obituary, published in The Commercial Appeal, notes his passing but does not specify a cause of death.
