The body of legendary singer James Brown has gone missing from its crypt, one of his daughters claims.

Brown, known as the Godfather of Soul, was put in the temporary crypt at daughter Deanna’s South Carolina home while plans for a public mausoleum are finalised.

But illegitimate daughter, 48-year-old LaRhonda Pettit, now insists his remains have been moved to prevent her carrying out an autopsy to discover his true cause of death.

Brown died on Christmas Day 2006 in Atlanta aged 73, reportedly of a heart attack following a bout of pneumonia.

But LaRhonda claims he may have been killed by people trying to get their hands on his money. She said: “My daddy’s body has disappeared. I have no clue where it was taken but I need to know where it is.

“I’m convinced his death was suspicious and I want those responsible brought to justice. The only way to do that is to exhume his body and have an autopsy.

“I cannot understand why one was never conducted, especially as his death seemed so mysterious. It was common knowledge daddy took illegal drugs until his death.

“He was also hooked on various prescription painkillers. At the very least there were enablers who helped cause his death.”

Brown, famous for hits such as I Got You (I Feel Good), lived on a 62-acre estate in South Carolina – where he was rumoured to have buried some of his £120million fortune. LaRhonda said he may have been murdered by people seeking that cash.

She added: “There were reports he may even have been beaten up before he died, perhaps by someone looking for money on his property.”

Former air hostess LaRhonda is among a dozen people who came forward after Brown’s death claiming to be his illegitimate children.

A DNA study said she is 99.99% likely to be his daughter.

LaRhonda claims Brown, who had nine children by four wives, had an affair with her mum after picking her out of the crowd at one of his concert in the eartly 60s.

Brown’s will, which is at the centre of a legal row, named six children as beneficiaries. LaRhonda is not among them.

LaRhonda’s lawyer has said she may make a claim on Brown’s estate. At the least, she would like her two daughters to be included in a trust the singer set up to pay for the education of his grandchildren.