On what would have been John Lennon 's 85th birthday on October 9, RadarOnline.com can reveal stunning claims about how vengeful former FBI director J. Edgar Hoover laid the groundwork for The Beatles singer's assassination years before killer Mark David Chapman was "brainwashed" into carrying out the depraved act.

Two journalists alleged Hoover and the CIA were terrified of Lennon's views and massive popularity – and "nerdy loser" Chapman, 70, was a "mind-controlled patsy" convinced to kill the icon. Article continues below advertisement

Chapman Acted Like a 'Zombie' Gunning Down Lennon Tap Here To Add Radar Online as A Trusted Source

Across two separate books, authors Fenton Bresler and Phil Strongman each argued the CIA recruited Chapman as a " sleeper assassin

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