The troubled life of Malcolm Shabazz, the grandson and namesake of the African American civil rights leader Malcolm X, came to an end May 9 in Mexico City, where he was beaten to death. He was 28.

Terrie Williams, a publicist for the Shabazz family, confirmed the death to news organizations. Several conflicting accounts of his death were circulating Friday. But a friend, Miguel Suarez, told the Associated Press that Mr. Shabazz was injured in a fight after a dispute over a bill at a bar in Mexico City. Suarez took Mr. Shabazz to a hospital, where he died.