Ash Pournouri Sues Avicii's Estate Over 'True Stories' Documentary Allegations

• Ash Pournouri sued the Avicii estate in December 2025, alleging the 'True Stories' documentary unfairly portrayed him as responsible for Avicii's 2018 death.
• The lawsuit claims the documentary director filmed Avicii during moments of psychological distress without offering help, using "deliberately manipulated" footage to shape a narrative against Pournouri.
• Court documents reveal a multifaceted pressure system involving Avicii's father, Universal Music Sweden, and his management team, complicating the public narrative of responsibility.

Ash Pournouri's legal team has challenged the documentary's ethical conduct, arguing that the final edit misrepresented his role in Avicii's life and death. The lawsuit alleges that Pournouri was not given a chance to review or respond to the film before its release, despite prior legal requests. The film's portrayal has sparked a broader debate about accountability and the role of the music industry in Avicii's mental health struggles.

Court documents released during the case paint a complex picture of Avicii's life in the year before his death. The evidence includes a 15.5 million SEK "Kill Fee" paid to buy out Pournouri, aggressive demands from Universal Music Sweden, and a failed attempt to force Avicii into rehab. Emails and texts exchanged between Pournouri and Avicii's father, Klas, reveal a toxic power struggle and conflicting interests among key stakeholders.

Who Is Liable for Avicii's Death?

The case has brought to light a long-standing narrative that places Pournouri at the center of Avicii's struggles, but court documents suggest otherwise. The evidence points to a broader network of pressures, including family tensions and label demands, that may have contributed to Avicii's mental health crisis. The Avicii estate has not publicly responded to these claims, but the court documents indicate that Pournouri was sidelined from key decisions, including the sale of Avicii's music catalog.

What Does This Mean for the Avicii Legacy?

The legal dispute has implications for how the public and media perceive Avicii's legacy. The Avicii estate's decision to allow Pournouri to take the blame, according to the documents, was a calculated move to preserve the artist's image. This raises questions about the accuracy of the documentary and whether it serves as a true reflection of Avicii's final years or a narrative shaped by corporate and emotional pressures.

What Evidence Is Being Used in the Case?

The lawsuit includes over 130 documents, including emails, texts, and medical records, that detail the pressures and internal dynamics surrounding Avicii's life. These documents reveal a corporate "kill fee" paid to Pournouri, aggressive demands from Universal Music Sweden's CEO, and a detailed addiction management plan. The evidence suggests that multiple parties had a hand in shaping the narrative, including Avicii's father and the record label, complicating the public perception of responsibility.

The ongoing civil case is expected to bring further clarity to the contested narrative around Avicii's death. The documents already released challenge the public perception that Pournouri alone bears responsibility, highlighting instead a complex web of pressures and decisions made by multiple stakeholders. The outcome of the case could reshape how the public views the events leading up to Avicii's death and the role of the music industry in his mental health struggles.