He also abused alcohol, according to Anderson, who was credited with sobering up the actor for his role in "Kill Bill.". Anderson said she wrote the book to help herself heal and to help others understand the casualty of Carradine's life of addiction and risk-taking. In Touch Weekly is part of the a360media Entertainment Group.Copyright a360media 2023. Wild west martial arts fighter who gained fame on TV's Kung Fu and starred in Kill Bill. Thai Police completed the autopsy Friday, but would not release the results until next week, Police Col. Somprasong Yenthuam told the Associated Press. June 4, 2009, 10:40 AM June 5, 2009 -- Actor David Carradine was found dead in the closet of a Bangkok hotel room Thursday with a cord wrapped around his neck and genitals, leading Thai police to suspect his death was not a suicide but an accident resulting from dangerous sex practices. ", "It didn't come out of the air," she said. Anderson used connections with Robert Redford to buy Carradine a Bernese mountain dog. ", 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. While Anderson's ideas may never be proven or dispelled, she wasn't the only one with a theory about how the star died. He was a member of an acting family that included brothers Keith Carradine and Robert Carradine as well as his daughters Calista Carradine and Kansas Carradine, and nieces Ever Carradine and Martha . A leading and supporting player in television and movies, actor David Carradine rose to fame with his iconic role, Kwai Chang Caine, the half-Asian student of life on the popular TV series, "Kung Fu" (ABC, 1972-75), a role he would go on to reprise for a syndicated series in the late 1990s. He was shuffled off to one person, then another. "On the basis of the information we currently have, coupled with the autopsy findings, Carradine's death does not appear to be a suicide," Dr. Michael Baden, who performed the autopsy, told FOXNews.com Thursday. ", "This doesn't look like a solo act at all," he told ABCNews.com. Baden, the host of cable channel HBOs Autopsy series, also said the ligatures, or ties that bind, which were on Carradines body at the time of his death helped him rule out suicide. "I felt I had a very heavy responsibility to his fans, family and our relationship to see that my book was a balanced and truthful recount of our life together," said Anderson. Anderson knew that firsthand from satisfying Carradine's sexual requests during their marriage. According to ABC News, Carradine's fourth wife, Marina Anderson, thinks it's possible he was murdered and that the scene was staged to look like a suicide or accident. Anderson is largely credited for resurrecting Carradine's career, keeping him sober during their six-year relationship, acting as his publicist and personal manager. Jensen died at the age of 60 this year after a fall linked to her long-time struggle with alcoholism. David liked participation.". June 9, 2009, 2:29 PM. "That [Carradine] had a substance abuse problem or had suicidal thoughts is not all that surprising," he told ABCNews.com. "It was never sexual," she said, noting that Carradine liked bondage but never choked himself. "[It] is often associated with sexual masochism -- sexual arousal to bondage/restraints, pain and humiliation, such as bound hands and testicles, and transvestic fetishism, such as women's clothing and undergarments and dildoes if they were present," said Kafka. David Carradine died of asphyxiation The medical examiner who oversaw a private autopsy on David Carradine said Wednesday that the "Kung Fu" star died from asphyxiation and the way the. The actor's wife, Anne Carradine, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against MK2 in June 2010, claiming that the film company was supposed to have an assistant with Caradine all the time to guide him around Bangkok (via CBS News). But without more evidence to prove the theories, Anderson admitted it could have just been an indulgent fantasy that took a nasty turn. July 2, 2009 -- "Kung Fu" actor David Carradine died from asphyxiation, according to New York-based medical examiner Dr. Michael Baden, who was hired by the family to do a . I loved Kung Fu! He was hanging from his hotel room closet, with his hands tied up over his head. A Thai police colonel told Reuters early in the probe the likely cause of death was asphyxiation. His third wife, Gail Jensen, told RadarOnline that he liked to tie himself up, had a fetish for Speedos and often experimented with nearly drowning himself in the pool. He helped her choose Lulu, her beloved collie, a sister to one of the dogs used in the TV series "Lassie," to whom Anderson dedicates the book. He returned to the top in recent years as the title character in Quentin Tarantino's two-part saga "Kill Bill." David Carradine. PHOTOS: Click here to see photos of David Carradine. She believed the company was wrong to leave her husband alone on the night of his death. He was one of my favorite actors. In that film, one of Bill's former assassins (Uma Thurman) begins a vengeful rampage against her old associates, including Bill. Wild west martial arts fighter who gained fame on TV's Kung Fu and starred in Kill Bill. June 05 2009 12:26 AM EST. Everything We Know, Pregnant Rihanna, ASAP Rocky Walk 2023 Met Gala Red Carpet 2 Hours Late, Who Skipped the Met Gala? All rights reserved, PLAY IT NOW: Access Extended: David Carradine's Fourth Wife Opens Up, Florida Principal Resigns After Sending $100K to Scammer Posing as Elon Musk, 25-Year-Old Makes $200/Hour Without a Bachelor's Degree: I Work Less Than 6 Hours a Day', Mother Arrested After Toddler Found Wandering at 3 AM in Miramar Neighborhood, Check Your Change! "Some cloth would've hidden the rope mark around his neck so that it wouldn't show next day. Everything to Know About Tish Cyrus Fiance. Due to the stigma around autoerotic asphyxiation, lots of people practice it in complete secrecy (perABC News). Ryan Edwards Had No Clue Why He Was Arrested After Vandalizing Home, Impressive! Those secrets, according to at least two of Carradine's four ex-wives, included a passion for deadly sex play. Ex-wife Marina Anderson chronicles love affair, deadly sex and drugs. He has not yet rule out homicide or autoerotic asphyxiation, which many had speculated was the cause of death. ", 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. The Thai police initially said they suspected the. All rights reserved, 7 Bodies Found During Search for Missing Oklahoma Teens, Man Shot Trying to Stop Scooter Robbery in Northwest DC, Witnesses Say, Metropolitan Police Department (DC Police / MPD), Family Awaits Return of DC Mother Missing for More Than 3 Weeks. With funeral plans still on hold, the family hired Baden, a renowned New York forensic expert, who flew to Los Angeles Monday to conduct a new investigation. Born in 1936 in Hollywood, Calif., Carradine came from a showbiz family. "Kung Fu" star David Carradine died of asphyxiation, a medical examiner who worked on the second, private autopsy of the actor told Reuters. Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:PLAY IT NOW: Access Extended: David Carradine's Fourth Wife Opens Up, MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: David Carradine - Deaths - News, Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Since his acting debut in 1947, Carradine was known for his character Kwai Chang Caine in the TV show "Kung Fu" and later became best known as the titular character Bill in the "Kill Bill" film series (per IMDb). David Carradine died on 4 June 2009 from accidental asphyxiation, according to the medical examiner who performed a private autopsy on the actor. Police said he was found with his hands bound together above his head and rope around his neck and genitals. ", "For David to accidentally do it to himself, that's not the act," said Anderson. A unique soul with a great personality has an amazing sense of humor, diligent and caring. said Robert Dunlap, who interviewed hundreds of people who practice deviant sex behaviors for his 2002 documentary film, "Beyond Vanilla: An Unforgettable Journey Into the Wilder Side of Sex. "He was quite knowledgeable" about sex toys, owner Shoshana Arazy told the paper. 2. I had a friend who was a mentor, and he suddenly said, 'I've never seen you abuse a substance before.' But according to Dr. Martin Kafka, clinical associate professor of psychiatry at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Mass., all that has been reported on Carradine's body is consistent with auto-erotic asphyxia. See Met Gala 2023 Red Carpet Photos, Trendsetters! She introduced the actor to Quentin Tarantino, who in 2003 cast him in "Kill Bill.". In a a sworn statement filed in 2003, Anderson also alleged that Carradine carried on an "incestuous relationship with a very close family member.". He was best known for being a Movie Actor. NBC Washington reports that Carradine's third wife, Gail Jensen, said that Carradine found erotic asphyxiation to be relaxing. David Carradine found dead. But these new details also add fuel to the Carradine family's claims that the actor may have been the victim of a homicide. BBC reports that actor David Carradine was staying at Swissotel Nai Lert Park, a five-star hotel, when his tragic 2009 death occurred. And I was. She even describes a self-exorcism with olive oil to cleanse their house of "bad vibes.". Met Gala Appearance Update, What Is Prince Harrys Last Name? Dr. Drew Pinsky. "David was extremely shy, but I think he would be pleased with this book as well as this being an avenue to help others," she said. There was something really hinky that happened." Their description that the actor's body was found nude, with ropes. There was something really hinky that happened. Recently discovered court documents from the actor's latest divorce posted by The Smoking Gunsuggest that Carradine may have have long history of "deviant sexual behavior which was potentially deadly," according to ex-wife Marina Anderson. "The cause of death was asphyxiation, an inability to breathe, now, why that happened is still what we're working on," Baden told Reuters today. Geragos did not answer an e-mail from ABCNews.com, and he did not pick up his phone to comment on Anderson's book. The family had insisted the actor was happy working on a film at the time of his death and would not have taken his own life. Last Friday, police said the actor may have died from accidental suffocation or heart failure after revealing that he was found with a rope tied around his neck and penis leading to speculation. His body was found hanging by ropes in a closet June 4 in a Bangkok hotel. Baden had earlier said the actors death was not a suicide, but details of autopsies have been scant and on Wednesday Baden stressed that his full determination of how Carradine died will not be ready until at least a week. Carradine was found hanging in the closet of his Bangkok hotel suite on June 4 and his family hired New York-based forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden to conduct a follow-up death investigation to the one handled by Thai authorities. "And the dark side was a part of our life, but only a small part of the book.". He most recently starred as Poon Dong, a Chinese mobster, in the action film "Crank: High Voltage. In another interview with TMZ, Jensen says that Carradine had hung himself up in the basement in a crucifix position, mimicking Jesus Christ, while a party was going on upstairs. Pinsky also suggests that Carradine was addicted to opiates, which enabled him to sustain pain. Here is all you want to know, and more! It brings it all up again. Friends and family said he had no history of depression. He never flew solo when we were together. In Touch Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. "This is a devastating loss for our family, and we greatly appreciate the compassion pouring in from all over the world," Keith Carradine said. Carradine, a martial arts practitioner himself, was best known for the U.S. TV series "Kung Fu," which aired from 1972-75. She did not take part in the autopsy. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? The sordid details of the "Kill Bill"star's sexual life began to surface as the photos generated more questions about the actor's mysterious death. Sisters' Amy Slaton and Michael Halterman's Divorce, Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny Leave Dinner Together Amid Dating Rumors, The Cutest Photos of Kylie and Travis Son Aire Webster, Who Is Dominic Purcell? . VIEW THE PHOTOS: The Latest Star Sightings. Kung Fu and Kill Bill actor David Carradine was found dead in hotel room Thursday in Thailand, according to AP from apparent auto asphyxiation or sex play . I like to think that I stopped drinking on St. Patrick's Day, but it was actually a month later," he told the paper. "David was pretty strange," she said. I didn't want the last memory with the public to be just that. His father was actor John Carradine, and his brothers were actors Bruce, Robert and Keith Carradine. Part of the a360media Entertainment Group.Powered by WordPress VIP, Please note that this form cannot be used to reset your Google, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window). "In order to have an orgasm, his hands would have had to be free. Forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden was hired by the Carradine family to complete an independent autopsy after the actor, 72, was found dead June 4 in a Bangkok, Thailand, hotel room. "David was always happy when he worked," she said. Immediately following the rumors of a suicide, the actors family, friends and associates denounced the possibility of him taking his own life. "He never flew solo when we were together. But Carradine's fourth wife, Marina Anderson, told the New York Post, "If he was involved in secret societies, it was a secret that even I didn't know about. In response to a question on that topic, Baden did not rule out that possibility, but he also did not say autoerotic asphyxiation was the cause. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. "I didn't get into drinking till I was in my 40s, and by that time I had stepped away from the rest of drugs," he told the Irish Times in 2004. The medical examiner who oversaw a private autopsy on David Carradine said Wednesday that the "Kung Fu" star died from asphyxiation and the way the actor's body was . "David did to her what he did to me," said Anderson. LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The medical examiner who oversaw a private autopsy on David Carradine said on Wednesday that the "Kung Fu" star died from asphyxiation and the way the actor's body was. "He didn't die of natural causes, and he didn't die of suicidal causes from the nature of the ligatures around the body, so that leaves some kind of accidental death," Baden said. "But when he passed away under the circumstances he did, he was handing the baton to me to correct people's thinking and explain why. She and Carradine were both dog lovers. These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands, Miami Juror in Historic Death Penalty TrialExplains Life in Prison Verdict. Sisters Tammy Seemingly Out of Wheelchair Amid Weight Loss. Ex-wife Marina Anderson claimed in 2003 court papers that Carradine practices "deviant sexual behavior which was potentially deadly" and had an "incestuous relationship with a very close family member," according to the Smoking Gun. The family said it was "profoundly disturbed"by the publication of the photos allegedly showing Carradine hanging in his hotel room and threatened legal action early this week. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? July 2, 2009 Kung Fu actor David Carradine 's June death was the result of asphyxiation, not suicide, a medical examiner hired by his family confirmed Thursday. He was working on a movie shoot in Bangkok for "Stretch." Carradine's body was discovered Thursday morning in his luxury suite by a chambermaid at Bangkok's Swissotel Nai Lert Park Hotel, said its general manager, Aurelio Giraudo. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. After being found "hanging by a drapery cord in the cramped closet of a Bangkok hotel room," where the martial arts actor had been staying while working on the film Stretch, his death was initially deemed a suicide, according to ABC News. That didn't fit the scenario. But tragically, he was found dead at his Bangkok hotel at age 72, in a manner that brought up lots of questions about his final hours and his private life. I don't believe he was by himself.". David Carradine was born in Los Angeles. David Carradine was born in Hollywood, California, the eldest son of legendary character actor John Carradine, and his wife, Ardanelle Abigail (McCool). "Usually there is some sort of show and someone else is involved. ", "I believe he was targeted, whether they went up to his room unsolicited or he got bored and went into town and brought somebody up," said Anderson. Carradine was found dead on June 4, 2009 at the Swissotel Nai Lert Park Hotel where he was staying while shooting the film "Stretch." ", "Given what David was into, Thailand, Bangkok is sex heaven, and I think he indulged and something went incredibly wrong," she continued. Carradine flew to Thailand and began work on a film titled "Stretch" two days before his death. That was spring of 1996. Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. It is a love story and healing journey. The case was settled about a year later, in August 2011. One night, the assistant called Carradine to go to dinner with the production staff, but Carradine missed the call, so the group went ahead without him. A grainy photo of his limp body in a Bangkok hotel room -- in what appears to be fishnet and a wig -- raised more questions about his mysterious death.