LESSONS FROM CELEBRITY DEATHS Dr Clive Cooke Path

LESSONS FROM CELEBRITY DEATHS Dr Clive Cooke Path. Centre

CELEBRITY LESSONS Is it necessary to do anything differently? Path. Centre

CELEBRITY LESSONS l presume a hidden (concealed) homicide scene l clothing l time of death l blood stains l conduct of the post mortem l toxicology, etc l Path. Centre

SCENE l l scene often disturbed (cleaned) encourage investigating authority (police) to have best scene investigators l evidence recording • Video • Photographs l l evidence collection statements (as if a homicide) Path. Centre

BRIEFING MEETING l prior to the Post-mortem examination Coroner l investigating officer (police) l pathologist (s) l mortuary manager l Path. Centre

Mortuary Facility l State Mortuary l l not peripheral centre Forensic pathologist l not lesser pathologist Path. Centre

Mortuary l Security locked, refrigerated area (no access, even to staff) l body continuity sheet (register of all body movements) l Path. Centre

Attendance at PM l Limited to essential, operations personnel mortuary staff (selected) l forensic pathologist (and observers) l Coroner l operational investigators (police) l Path. Centre

Medical Observers 2 forensic pathologists (including the most senior) l professor of pathology l Path. Centre

IDENTIFICATION l Avoid “Elvis lives” allegation - confirm identification objectively dental chart (always) l fingerprints (always) l DNA l • identification • paternity • body part dispute Path. Centre

Timing of the PM l normal working hours PM can be planned l accusation of too hasty or too tardy l l delay transcription of PM report Path. Centre

Record of the PM photographs +++ (official) l video l (prints and negatives to be secured) l whole body Radiology Path. Centre

The PM Report closely controlled document l homicide level and style l Path. Centre

PM Evidence l toxicology and other samples l duplicates (at least) • 1 set tested • 1 set stored Path. Centre

Toxicology l there is often allegation of poisoning (irrespective of the COD and MOD) routine toxicology samples (duplicated) l extras (duplicated) l • • • hair nails kidney whole of intestine (segmentalised) solvent samples – fat, lung, brain swabs – nares; hands Joseph Stalin poisoned by KGB? Path. Centre

Tested Samples l letter of referral to the lab confidentiality reaffirmed l specific testing to be done l return of unused samples to the Mortuary (retained) l cc the Coroner l Path. Centre

Body Part Retention l neuropathology recommended (likelihood of allegations of aberrant behaviour) l ? other (Make sure the Coroner is aware) Path. Centre

Release of Body l after debrief identification certain l NOK has been identified (multiple partners, children) l NOK aware of body part retention l evidence collected – suitable and stored l l formal authorisation of release Path. Centre

Accusations l expect accusations of bias l incompetence l cover - up l conspiracy l racism l Path. Centre

Outside Interests l attempted interference whilst the case is hot l l media authorities • senior police • ombudsman • politicians l l individuals further inquiries (might last for decades) l l l commissions of inquiry amnesty books Path. Centre

Avoiding Stress l stay above public hysteria (media; politicians; Coroner and mortuary staff; police; public – threatening calls and e mails; pathologists; doctors, etc) don’t neglect (seek comfort in) normal business l be aware of high rate of problems for the investigators l • • burn – out divorce suicide dismissal Path. Centre

Other Suggestions l don’t include the case in public presentations (Nelson Rockefeller – Dr M Baden) l don’t falsify information (Tennessee Williams, 1983 – Dr E Gross sent toxicology samples under another name) l don’t give press statements (remember – it is because you are socially inept that you have become a forensic pathologist) l don’t be careless (even if you have battled bureaucracy for years, are under resourced, with little support – this is not the time to make a statement) Path. Centre

MARILYN MONROE l l body found face down on her bed in bedroom, room secure (by maid/nurse) Dr Greenson attended (body stiff with rigor mortis – “ 5 minutes to straighten her out”) l police not called for 2 hours Path. Centre

MARILYN MONROE l problems with the scene examination : associated Press journalist impersonated Coroner’s officer and gained access l no drinking glass or water noted l police report said 15 medicine containers on bedside table – only 8 apparently sent to tox lab (bedroom cleaned l the following day and containers destroyed) delay in police call l interference with body l Path. Centre

MARILYN MONROE l problems with the mortuary : l 2 photographers gained access, with whisky, and photographed the body before post-mortem examination Path. Centre

MARILYN MONROE l Deputy Medical Examiner (Dr Tom Noguchi) l no injection sites (surface of body examined with magnifying glass, including beneath the tongue and vagina) no tablet residue in stomach, or staining l small bruise top of left buttock l Path. Centre

MARILYN MONROE l toxicology : blood : Chloral hydrate = 8 mg% l liver : Pentobarbital (Nembutal) = 13 mg% l Path. Centre

MARILYN MONROE l DME advised Coroner on 10 August COD = “Acute barbiturate poisoning due to ingestion of overdose” l MOD = suicide (“probable” handwritten addition) l l Coroner issued finding 1 week later Path. Centre

MARILYN MONROE l problems with Toxicology : not all intestine contents submitted (other than stomach) l no analysis other than blood and liver l no confirmation of medication types (8/15 containers) l samples destroyed within a few weeks l Path. Centre

MARILYN MONROE l alternative theories : accidental overingestion l homicide l • injection • enema FBI - to protect Kennedy’s Mobsters – linked to Frank Sinatra (alleged lover) Path. Centre

MARILYN MONROE - LESSONS l security - scene, mortuary and information l scene – everything documented and retained (treated as a “crime” scene) l l post-mortem examination – retain too much toxicology Path. Centre

MARILYN MONROE Born : Norma Jeane Mortenson 1 June 1926 (baptised Norma Jean Baker) Died : Night of 4/5 August 1962 (age 36) Childhood : foster care and orphanage Path. Centre

MARILYN MONROE l Married 3 times • 1942 -46 : Jim Dougherty (she had just turned 16) • 1954 -54 : Joe Di. Maggio (baseball star – just retired)) • 1956 -61 : Arthur Miller (playwright) l l 1944 : Army promotions photo shoot led to photo model career 1946 : contract with 20 th Century Fox – “Marilyn” from fellow actress and “Monroe” from mother’s family name l l 1950 : “The Asphalt Jungle” 29 movies Path. Centre

MARILYN MONROE l 1950’s : increasing alcohol and prescription drug dependence • Demerol (Morphine) • Barbiturates – Nembutal; Amytal; Sodium-Pentothal • Chloral hydrate l l and occasional use of Mandrax and LSD Required medical treatment for overdoses 1961 : physical ailments included • Cholecystitis (cholecystectomy) • Menorrhagia • ? Irritable bowel syndrome Path. Centre

MARILYN MONROE l 1960 : Dr Greenson – l 1961 : ? Relationships with JFK and Bobby psychiatrist to the stars (President and Attorney-General) l Evening of 4 August 1962 – several phone calls to friends – seemed very depressed; worried because had received threatening calls saying to leave Bobby Kennedy alone Path. Centre