Cold Case Investigations

Sep 1 Marilyn Monroe

Facts of Marilyn Monroe's Death (August 4, 1962)

Marilyn Monroe (born Norma Jeane Mortenson/Baker, age 36) died at her Brentwood, Los Angeles home at 12305 Fifth Helena Drive from acute barbiturate poisoning. The Los Angeles County Coroner's office ruled it a probable suicide.

Key Timeline and Scene Evening of August 4: Monroe was at home. She had been in a depressed state, dealing with career setbacks (fired from Something's Got to Give), health issues, and personal turmoil. She spoke on the phone with friends and had prescriptions for sedatives like Nembutal (pentobarbital) and chloral hydrate.

Discovery: Around 3:00–3:30 a.m. on August 5, housekeeper Eunice Murray noticed the bedroom light on and the door locked. Monroe didn't respond. Murray called psychiatrist Dr. Ralph Greenson, who arrived, broke a window to enter, and found Monroe dead in bed, nude, face down, with a telephone in her hand. Empty pill bottles were nearby. Police were notified later (around 4:25 a.m. or after a delay). Autopsy (performed by Deputy Medical Examiner Thomas Noguchi):Well-nourished woman, 117 lbs, 5'5½". No external signs of trauma or injection marks (beyond minor bruising).

Toxicology: High levels of barbiturates — 8 mg% chloral hydrate and 4.5 mg% pentobarbital in blood; 13 mg% pentobarbital in liver. These were several times the lethal dose, ingested rapidly ("in one gulp or a few gulps").

Stomach: Empty, with no pill residue or yellow staining expected from capsules. No vomit. Inquest (August 17, 1962): Chief Coroner Theodore Curphey classified it as probable suicide based on her history of mood swings, depression, prior overdoses, and the scene. Accidental overdose was deemed unlikely due to the massive dose. No charges, no foul play indicated in the initial investigation. She was buried August 8 at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery.

Doubts and Inconsistencies Fueling Speculation The official ruling hasn't satisfied everyone for decades, and even participants raised eyebrows. Here's the blunt truth on the main red flags:

Empty stomach vs. massive dose: How did she absorb that much barbiturate with no pills, residue, or staining in her stomach? Defenders say the drugs had time to digest and disperse into blood/liver. Skeptics (including some pathologists) argue it points to another delivery method, like an enema or injection (though no needle marks were noted). Delayed police notification: Housekeeper and doctors waited hours to call authorities. Murray's stories changed over time (e.g., later claiming Robert F. Kennedy visited that night). The broken window was allegedly smashed from inside? Timeline gaps exist between death (estimated 8:30–10:30 p.m. August 4) and discovery. Missing evidence and sloppy handling: Organs weren't fully preserved for further testing. Autopsy photos and reports had discrepancies. The 1982 DA review admitted "factual discrepancies" and "unanswered questions" but found no murder evidence.

Motive for murder theories: Her alleged affairs with JFK and RFK, possible knowledge of secrets (mob, politics, CIA?), and ties to figures like Jimmy Hoffa or Sam Giancana. Claims she was killed to silence her. RFK was in LA that day. These exploded in the 1960s–80s but lack hard proof — the 1982 probe shot them down.

Coroner doubts: Noguchi himself later expressed lingering questions about the circumstances.

It's one of Hollywood's great enduring mysteries

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