Mark Leslie Norton (February 7, 1956 – April 5, 2007), better known as Mark St. John, was an American guitarist best known for his brief stint with Kiss from April to November 1984. His work can be heard on the band’s 1984 album “Animalize”. During its production, St. John developed Reiter’s syndrome, which caused his hands and arms to swell, and he was unable to perform live as a member of KISS except for three shows during the follow-up tour.

Beginning on September 14, 2006, St. John was incarcerated for several days at Theo Lacy Jail in Orange County, California, after being charged with possession of unspecified drug paraphernalia, attempted destruction of evidence, and resisting arrest. A guard allegedly conspired with a group of inmates to have St. John assaulted for this transgression, and he was subsequently brutally beaten and stabbed with pencils by a group of up to 20 inmates.

For the next several months after leaving Theo Lacy Jail, St. John suffered severe headaches and body aches. While it is not known what medical attention he received inside the jail, after his release he refused to see a doctor due to having no medical insurance, and his health deteriorated. St. John died on April 5, 2007, from what the coroner described as a brain haemorrhage brought on by an accidental overdose of methamphetamine.

Mark St. John was buried under his real name, Mark Norton, at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, Los Angeles County, California, United States. His modest tombstone has a guitar on it with the inscription: Beloved Son and Brother.

ADDRESS:
Whittier, CA 90601, USA

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