Norman Osterbrook was a top-notch professional bodyguard, trusted by celebrities like Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Nelson Mandela. Among his most notable clients were Beyoncé and Jay-Z. Despite his exceptional dedication to protecting the Carters, Norman’s inner struggles ultimately led to his job loss and tragic death.
Norman started his career in South Africa before founding RAD, an international security firm in the Netherlands. He eventually moved his operations to New York, quickly earning RAD a reputation as one of the best personal security companies worldwide. Standing at an impressive six feet seven inches, Norman was affectionately known as the “Dutch giant.” He was admired for his professionalism, discretion, and unwavering commitment to his clients, often becoming their friend and always ready to act as their human shield.
Sometime around 2008 or 2009 (we’re not exactly sure when), Norman brought a new member onto his team: a guy named Julius Deboer. Julius grew up in the Netherlands and had known Norman for quite a while. With his impressive height and ability to speak five languages, Julius was a fantastic addition. While Norman was busy being Jay-Z’s bodyguard, his team members were assigned to other celebrities, so Julius ended up protecting Beyoncé.
In 2008, Norman was at the top of his game. His friend, Steve Summerfield, who was a licensed security driver, wrote an online essay praising Norman. He described Norman as highly intelligent, charming, pleasant, and incredibly organized. Norman was known for staying calm under pressure and could easily spot potential threats. One incident that really highlighted his dedication happened during Jay-Z’s 2010 concert in DC. A fan tried to climb onto the stage, and Norman quickly stepped in, tossing the fan off the 10-foot-high stage. Rumor has it the fan broke both legs on impact, but they certainly learned their lesson.
Norman was incredibly meticulous in how he managed his business. He always visited venues beforehand to plan the quickest routes for entrance and exit, and he trained all his drivers to navigate traffic efficiently to avoid the paparazzi. Even after long 17-hour days, Norman remained on high alert to ensure his clients got back to their homes or hotels safely. His friend wrote in an online essay that Norman would observe the street situation and make sure all the awaiting vehicles were lined up and ready to go. If a vehicle’s front wheels were turned toward the curb instead of away from it, it was a big no-no. Drivers would be reprimanded and instructed to turn the wheels outward so that the car could make a swift departure as soon as the celebrity got in. In short, if you were a high-profile person, you wanted someone like Norman by your side. At least, that was the initial consensus.
Away from the worldwide travel, private jets, and celebrity friends he acquired, Norman was reportedly struggling behind the scenes. The Miami Herald reported that he developed a substance habit and was in and out of rehab. He married April McDaniel, but they were reportedly experiencing marital issues. “We met and got married pretty quickly, like after eight, nine months, and we were both kind of ready for the next step,” April shared. However, Norman’s hard-partying began spiraling out of control, leading to significant lapses in judgment.
The next piece of information has been corroborated by Norman’s friend and several reputable online sources. we strive to keep our content family-friendly, but right now might be a good time to ask your children to leave the room
Beyoncé’s Bodyguard: A Tale of Scandal and Betrayal
In January 2012, Beyoncé gave birth to her daughter, Blue Ivy. At the time, her bodyguard, Norman, was still protecting Jay-Z, but his personal struggles were starting to show. A friend recounted an incident at a 2012 Olympics concert in East London, where Jay-Z and Rihanna performed. After the show, Norman reportedly drank too much at the after-party. His friend shared in an online essay, “Norman was clearly unfit for duty. He was drunk and aggressively pushing through the crowds to help Rihanna’s team get her into her car. He lost his temper and threw a paparazzi like a ragdoll.”
Multiple sources, including the New York Daily News, confirmed that while on assignment for Jay-Z in Las Vegas, Norman brought a woman back to his hotel room. As the night went on, Norman let his guard down and allegedly used the Carter family’s female members’ passports in a lewd act. The woman filmed the act and tried to sell the footage to a media outlet.
Remember the website Crazy Days and Nights (CDAN)? They were known for their juicy industry gossip and blind items. In February 2013, CDAN posted a blind item that was later revealed to be about Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Norman. The blind item claimed that a major publishing company was approached by the woman with the incriminating footage of Norman. The company was interested in purchasing the video and running the story. However, deals are often made in the industry to keep certain secrets hidden. CDAN compared this to Tiger Woods, who allegedly traded juicy information to gossip sites to prevent stories about his infidelities from surfacing—an agreement that fell apart when his then-wife discovered his affairs, leading to a public scandal.
Anyway, the publishing company decided to reach out to the Carters to strike a mutually beneficial deal. They allegedly agreed that if Beyoncé would pose for one of their magazines, they would buy the video from the woman and give it to the Carters to destroy. CDAN added, “So, in the next couple of months, when you see a magazine cover and think ‘WTF,’ now you know why.” They also claimed that Beyoncé and Jay-Z paid the woman a lot of money to disappear.
A month later, Beyoncé was on the cover of Shape magazine, which she had never posed for before and hasn’t since. A source told the New York Daily News that the Carters were devastated by what Norman had done. They trusted Norman with their lives, and he went and did something shocking on video with a hooker. They were outraged. The Carters didn’t feel safe having Norman around Blue Ivy, so they fired him quickly but kept Julius as Beyoncé’s bodyguard. An insider said, “From what I understand, Norman was heartbroken because the word got out in the industry that he couldn’t be trusted, making it hard for him to find work.”
Norman and his family continued to split their time between their homes in New York and South Florida. But with his career in shambles, the New York Daily News reported that he fell into a depression in September 2013.
Not long after losing his job, Norman decided to drown his sorrows with a night out in Miami. According to his friend’s online essay, Norman partied harder than ever that night. After his wild evening, he accidentally entered the wrong house in Pinecrest, Florida. The homeowner, Christiane Jung, screamed for her husband, Marcus, who confronted a naked Norman. The couple recognized him as their neighbor but were shocked and confused by his presence.
A fight broke out between Norman and Marcus. The couple claimed they saw Norman swallow an unknown substance during the altercation. The Miami Herald reported that Norman became combative when the police arrived, resisting arrest violently. He was tased multiple times in the chest and, due to his size, was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 43.
Although toxicology results weren’t released, police sources suggested his elevated body temperature indicated cocaine use, and a white powdery substance was allegedly found on him. NBC Miami noted this was the second time in a month a man had died after being tased by police in Miami-Dade County, though officials insisted the devices were safe.
Norman’s tragic fall from a trusted professional to an outcast in the entertainment industry was widely covered in magazines and gossip blogs. Opinions on his downfall vary, but his loved ones still feel his absence deeply. In an essay, his friend wrote, “I am proud to have met Norman, worked with him, laughed with him, and been blessed by his professional training and kindness.”
Here at RRG, we can confirm that his children are thriving and his widow has founded a successful creative agency. She has a strong support network, including LeBron James’ wife, Savannah. Although she doesn’t mention Norman directly on her Instagram, a photo of a vehicle with a unique license plate likely reflects her feelings about her longtime love and the father of her children.