Ebony Green's History : August 2015

essay so far (low editing):

How conclusive is the evidence supporting the theory that Marilyn Monroe’s death was due to suicide?

“SIXTIES sex symbol Marilyn Monroe was at the height of her fame when she died from an overdose of sleeping pills at the age of 36 and news of her passing shocked the world”[1]

On the fifth of August 1962, film star Marilyn Monroe, “was found lying naked in her bed with an empty bottle of Nembutal sleeping pills by her side”[2] and, “after a brief investigation, Los Angeles police concluded that her death was caused by a self-administered overdose of sedative drugs and that the mode of death is probable suicide.”[3] Theories vary on Marilyn’s death ranging from her commonly accepted suicide, to more unpleasant suspicions that Marilyn was brutally murdered, as the evidence to support the official reports has gaping holes which have captivated millions for over forty years. As evidence available is shockingly limited, historians must be critical as to whether sources show bias or are presenting information that is best suited to their own personal desires. John Miner, witness of the autopsy, has spoken out on his belief that Marilyn was murdered, Unsolved History explores many theories and provides supportive points that Marilyn’s death was as reported. The theories and evidence of one documentary contradicts that of another, and comparisons are commonly made in order to establish which source is potentially more reliable that the others.

John Miner, “a former prosecutor in Los Angeles”[4] was present during the investigations surrounding Monroe’s death and publicly concluded that he believed Marilyn Monroe had been murdered. The Sydney Morning Herald reported in March of 2011 an article conveying Miner’s thoughts following his death at age 92, where it was documented he had suggested

Marilyn’s body was found at approximately three am, however the police were not notified until at least four twenty am[5], over an hour after the body had been discovered.

It was known by those living at her residence that Marilyn commonly slept with the door unlocked, but closed. On the night of her death there are many claims[6] that state her door was locked, a variation in normal behaviour that could suggest her death was a result of suicide. Robert Litman, psychiatrist and member of the ‘suicide team’ of the case stated that the locking of the door could, “suggest intention to die”[7]. Litman continues to state that in previous suicide attempts Marilyn had, “let people know what she was doing”[8], acknowledging that the official report stated probable suicide which created a problem as it was not conclusive. The UNsolved History documentary[9] reconstructs the scene at which Marilyn died, and tested the effects of the Nembutal tablets she consumed in a lab to decipher whether a potential accidental overdose was possible. The results found suggest that Marilyn would have been unconscious before consuming the remaining 12 pills that would be needed in order to affect her in a lethal manner.

The researches at Unsolved History suggest that the most probable cause of death was an intentional overdose, with Marilyn consuming 24-25 Nembutal pills simultaneously.

However, John Miner still strongly believes that the discolouration of Marilyn’s colon suggests that she did not consume the Nembutal herself, rather was administered it. Twenty years after the original investigation, Miner theorised that Marilyn’s discoloured colon and lack of intestinal content within her lower colon implies the poison was administered through an enema. For this theory to be conclusive, Marilyn must have been compliant with those running the procedure, suggesting she was already heavily sedated. Marilyn’s lack of consciousness would match the levels of Chloral Hydrate found in her system.

However, this is inconclusive as the door may have been locked from the inside, and the room evacuated, if foul play was involved.

Marilyn’s death was confirmed probable suicide in 1962

, however many elements of reports do not match up, and as a result many theories have been speculated surrounding the truth around the 36 year olds passing.

US attorney general: Robert f kennedy

3 known previous suicide attempts, each time she had been rescued by calling for help.

Last known person whom she corresponded with was peter lawford, who stated, “her voice was slurred, and trailed off”[10]. This call was estimated to have been around the time of 9pm, if these statements are true lawford may have been the last person Marilyn contacted before her time of death.

89 degree body temperature at the time of the autopsy suggests her death occurred at some time between 10pm and 2am, meaning she must have consumed the pills at some time between 8pm and 1am

Marilyns normal night time medicine was Librium not Nembutal

She had plenty of Librium on the night of her death, with many half filled bottles accessible within her home

Questions motivation to go out and get a prescription for these new drugs when she had plenty at home

Its is known that her mother, and two of her grand parents had suffered from depression also and therefore it would be more likely for her to have inherited the mental illness potentially resulting in suicidal tendencies.

Murder by injection is not considered a viable option, as she had no visible needle marks on her skin.

day of her death articles covered every newspaper

theory one: suicide

- Widely accepted

- Evaluate evidence and sources

Theory two: CIA/US government

Theory three: Mafia

The suicide:

Facts, analysis, opinion

The murder:

Methods, analysis

The motive: