Actor David Carradine’s Death Looking Like Tragic Accident, Per Thai Police
Posted By Vicki McClure Davidson on June 5, 2009
The preliminary autopsy report is in.
Results are not yet conclusive, but Thai police are now ruling out suicide in the tragic death of actor David Carradine.
Speculation has been rampant on the Internet, with many fans in utter shock about Carradine’s death. Those who have followed Carradine’s career never believed he would commit suicide, as Thai police had originally suspected. Murder was high on many fans’ list, although Carradine’s lengendary mastery of martial arts led most to believe murder would be difficult to accomplish without leaving a great deal of physical evidence. Some thought that, had he been murdered, he would have had to be subdued, such as with a drug injection.
However, at this point in the investigation, suicide and foul play are being ruled out in Carradine’s death.
At this point, it is believed the actor may have died while attempting a sex act known as auto-erotic asphyxiation – cutting off oxygen to the brain for sexual arousal.
Actor David Carradine in '70s Kung Fu... rest in peace
From Breitbart.com:
Thai police: Death of actor David Carradine may be accidental
June 5, 2009
Michael Casey, Associated PressBANGKOK – The body of American actor David Carradine, best known for the 1970s TV series “Kung Fu,” was found in a hotel room closet with a rope tied to his neck and genitals, and his death may have been caused by accidental suffocation, Thai police said Friday.
The 72-year-old actor’s body was discovered Thursday in his luxury suite at Bangkok’s Swissotel Nai Lert Park Hotel. Police initially said they suspected suicide, though Carradine’s associates had questioned that theory and authorities later said no suicide note was found in his room.
Police Lt. Gen. Worapong Chewprecha told reporters that Carradine was found with a rope tied around his genitals and another rope around his neck.
“The two ropes were tied together,” he said. “It is unclear whether he committed suicide or not or he died of suffocation or heart failure.”
Thai police completed an autopsy on Carradine on Friday. But Police Col. Somprasong Yenthuam, superintendent of the Lumpini police station, which is handling the case, said results would not be ready for at least three weeks because the cause of death was unclear. He called the time lag “normal.”
Dr. Nanthana Sirisap, director of Chulalongkorn Hospital’s Autopsy Center, told reporters that the autopsy was conducted because of the “unusual circumstances surrounding Carradine’s death,” but did not elaborate.
The body was later removed from the hospital to an undisclosed location by U.S. Embassy representatives while preparations were being made for its repatriation to the United States.
Police Lt. Teerapop Luanseng had said Thursday that Carradine’s body was found “naked, hanging in a closet,” and that police at the time suspected suicide.
But one of Carradine’s managers dismissed the theory.
“All we can say is, we know David would never have committed suicide,” said Tiffany Smith of Binder & Associates, his management company. “We’re just waiting for them to finish the investigation and find out what really happened. He really appreciated everything life has to give … and that’s not something David would ever do to himself.”
Pornthip Rojanasunand, director of Thailand’s Central Institute of Forensic Science, said Carradine may have died attempting a sex act known as auto-erotic asphyxiation – cutting off oxygen to the brain for sexual arousal.
The practice is said to result in a form of giddiness and euphoria – similar to alcohol or drug intoxication – that enhances the sexual experience.
“If you hang yourself by the neck, you don’t need so much pressure to kill yourself. Those who get highly sexually aroused tend to forget this fact,” Pornthip said.
Carradine had flown to Thailand last week and began work on a film titled “Stretch” two days before his death, Smith said. He had several other projects lined up after the action film, which was being directed by Charles De Meaux.
Carradine was in good spirits when he left the U.S. for Thailand on May 29 to work on “Stretch,” Smith said.
“David was excited to do it and excited to be a part of it,” she said by phone from Beverly Hills.
Filming began Tuesday, she said, adding that the crew was devastated by Carradine’s death and did not wish to speak publicly about it for the time being…
David Carradine in role of Caine, Kung Fu TV series
David Carradine in his later years
David Carradine and Chris Potter, 1990s TV series 'Kung Fu: The Legend Continues'
About the author
I am a blogger on the scene in Bangkok at the hotel where Carradine died and am blogging about this on http://magickpapers.com/blog
ICON OF AN AMERICAN FILM DYNASTY
BY ANTONIO PINEDA
The announcer for the BBC breaks the story on TV. David Carradine was found dead in the Swiss Hotel on Soi Nailert. The film star was found in the closet of his room bound by curtain rope around his neck, and the inference is that his genitals were bound as well. The news ran through the Bangkok film colony like a forest fire.
I consult investigative journalist David Walker. He is also a screenwriter and author of the cult classic book, Hello My Big Big Honey. Walker is at the hotel. He has already led a CBS crew to legendary film producer-director David Winters penthouse office. Winters is a dear friend of Carradine from their glory days in Hollywood. Walker wants to see the surveilance tapes. No chance Bagger Vance. Dr. Pornthip, a colorful Thai forensic scientist is on the scene at the hotel. Walker says Pornthip, who is famous for sporting many hued punk hair styles and is a bit of a celebrity,delares the case to be death by auto sexual strangulation.
I roll up to Winters penthouse office. He is devastated by the tragic loss of a dear friend. He has not slept. CBS and People Magazine have already come by to solicit intelligence. David is shocked by the tawdry inferrences. He has spoken to 3 of Carradines agents. The agents declare that Carradine was on the roll of a lifetime. Quentin Tarantino redefined the 72 year old actor in Kill Bill. Carradine recieved a Golden Globe nomination for his work with Tarantino. The actor of the classic cult TV series Kung Fu had starred in 13 motion pictures since Kill Bill. His salary was in the stratosphere.
The strange circumstances of the verdict by auto- sexual strangulation trouble Winters. It takes two to tango. Why indeed would a man of his talent take his own life alone. Bangkok is known as a city with love for sale. Film people come here to shoot and avail themselves of the pleasures to be found in the gilded city of sin. Kinky sex is no big deal. Could this be a coverup for a sex robbery murder. The Royal Thai Police have shut the door on this case all too quickly. The tourist industry has been severely damaged by the recession and political instability. The murder of a famous film star would be a final nail in the coffin of the tourism industry. Winters says that Carradine, son of John , iconic members of an American cinema dynasty were above the fray. David Carradine was according to Winters a consumate gentleman, a brilliant actor, and a man for all seasons…
more to follow on http://magickpapers.com/blog
it seems like Carradine got a lot of living in before he passed on, though… RIP