The Death of Marilyn Monroe Suicide?, Accident?, Intentional? - Lecture 1-February 20, 2023 Frank Wood
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The Death of Marilyn Monroe
Suicide?, Accident?, Intentional?
Lecture 1—February 20, 2023
Frank Wood
frwood2@comcast.net
The Death of Marilyn Monroe
August 4? or 5?, 1962
Norma Jeane Dougherty—1945/1946 Frank Wood 2/20/2023 Marilyn Monroe--1962
The Death of Marilyn Monroe
Course Objectives and Limitations
• Compare and contrast the “official” version of MM’s death with
information and theories that have emerged over the last six decades
• Certain information is not flattering to prominent people or institutions
• Often difficult to discern facts from conjecture
• There are conflicting recollections and information
• Subjects that will not be covered
• Assassination of John F. Kennedy
• Death of journalist Dorothy Kilgallen
• Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy
• Organized Crime Connections
Frank Wood 2/20/2023
The Death of Marilyn Monroe
Primary Information Sources (1 of 2)
• The Last Days of Marilyn Monroe—Donald H. Wolfe, Hardcover, 1998,
Paperback, 2012
• The Murder of Marilyn Monroe: Case Closed—Jay Margolis and Richard
Buskin, 2014, 2016
• Bombshell: The Night Bobby Kennedy Killed Marilyn Monroe—Detective
(retired) Mike Rothmiller LAPD OCID & Douglas Thompson, 2021
• Wikipedia—Marilyn Monroe
• Wikipedia—The Death of Marilyn Monroe
• Internet Movie Data Base (IMDB)—Marilyn Monroe
• L.A. Noir: The Struggle for the Soul of America’s Most Seductive City, John
Buntin, 2009
Frank Wood 2/20/2023
The Death of Marilyn Monroe
Primary Information Sources (2of 2)
• The Marilyn Monroe Files—Live Television Special, 1992, Hosted by
Bill Bixby, Available on You Tube
• Detective Mike Rothmiller talks Bombshell: The Night Bobby Kennedy
Killed Marilyn Monroe, William Ramsey Investigates, 2021, Available
on You Tube
• Private eye’s notes suggest Monroe-Kennedy love triangle, CNN June
10, 2013, Available on You Tube
• Marilyn Monroe Analysis—Dr. Todd Grande, 2020, Available on You
Tube
• The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes, Netflix, 2022
Frank Wood 2/20/2023
The Death of MM—Content By Lecture
• Lecture 1—Background and Environment
• United States and Los Angeles in the summer of 1962
• Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)
• The Kennedys
• Individuals involved in her final days and death
• Lecture 2—The life and death of Marilyn Monroe
• Brief Biography of Marilyn Monroe
• Perceived significant influences and behaviors in MM’s life and career
• Events of late 1961--1962 in Marilyn Monroe’s life
• Events of August 4 and 5, 1962
• Aftermath of her passing
Frank Wood 2/20/2023The Death of Marilyn Monroe—Content by
Lecture
• Lecture 3—Information beyond the “official” version of her death
• Alternative theories through the years
• Follow-up Investigations
• Theories as to how MM’s death occurred
• Closing thoughts
Frank Wood 2/20/2023The Death of Marilyn Monroe Overview of U.S. in 1962
The Death of Marilyn Monroe
United States in 1962
• Second year of JFK’s presidency (“Camelot”)
• General sense optimism and youthful energy
• US had been at peace since end of Korean War in July 1953
• Heightened tensions with the Soviet Union
• Berlin Wall erected in 1961
• Failed attempts to topple/assassinate Fidel Castro
• Space race (U.S. objective to put man on the moon in 10 years, Sep 1962)
• Nuclear Arms Race
• Cuban Missile Crisis (Oct 1962)
Frank Wood 2/20/2023The Death of Marilyn Monroe
United States in 1962
• U.S. population gradually moving South and West
• Suburbs continuing to expand
• Civil Rights pressures were intensifying
• Federal government scrutiny of organized crime (Kefauver, McClellan)
• Fear of communism still very much alive
• Americans generally trusted Government, Law Enforcement, “Big
Business”, Media
• Hollywood was undergoing an evolution from the old “studio system” to
more control by creative talent
• Rise in popularity of TV had pressured studios financial condition
• Wall Street interests were becoming more important in the entertainment industry
Frank Wood 2/20/2023The Death of Marilyn Monroe United States in 1962 • Population: ~182 million (1960 census 179.3 million, 1970 census 203.4 million) • Population of L.A.: ~2.55 million (1960 census 2.479 million, 1970 census 2.816 million, 3rd largest US city) • Average median family income: ~$6,000 (Bureau of Census, Dept. of Commerce) • Average home price: ~$12,500 (doyouremember.com) • Representative new car price: $2,617 (Chevrolet Bel Air 4 door sedan) • Percentage of households with TV: >80% (
The Los Angeles Police Dept.
(LAPD)The Death of Marilyn Monroe
LAPD—1950’s and early 1960’s
• Significant reform occurred with appointment of William Parker as
Chief of Police in Aug. 1950
• LAPD had one of the smallest forces of any major U.S. city, covering
one of the largest land areas
• Very effective in utilizing public relations techniques (ie Dragnet)
• One of LAPD’s overriding objectives was to keep eastern organized
crime out of LA
• Developed intelligence capabilities that riveled those of the FBI
Frank Wood 2/20/2023William Parker
• Served as Chief of LAPD 1950-
1966
• 57 years old in 1962
• Joined LAPD in 1927
• Career was in administration,
intelligence and internal affairs
• Credited with major
improvements in the
professionalism of the LAPD
during the 1950’s.
• Highly regarded on a national level
• Died in office in July 1966
Frank Wood 2/20/2023James Hamilton • Chief Parker’s “right hand man” for intelligence matters. • Commanding officer of Organized Crime Intelligence Division (OCID) from early 1950’s until 1963 • Close relationship with Robert F. Kennedy re exposure of organized crime • Direct involvement in Marilyn Monroe case • Left LAPD in 1963 for NFL security chief job. • Passed away in 1964 Frank Wood 2/20/2023
The Death of Marilyn Monroe
LAPD—Organized Crime Intelligence Division
• Established in early 1950’s as the successor to the Gangster Squad
• Stated purpose was to gather intelligence on organized crime and keep it
out of Los Angeles
• In reality, OCID gathered intelligence and maintained files on politicians,
prominent athletes, Hollywood celebrities and business leaders
• Allegedly employed wiretaps, electronic surveillance and break-ins to
gather information
• Operated very much behind the scenes. Rarely: made arrests, appeared at
crime scenes or testified in court.
• Often conducted parallel investigations in major cases without knowledge
of primary investigators and didn’t share information
Frank Wood 2/20/2023Mike Rothmiller
• 10 years on the LAPD, 5 years in OCID
• Member of DOJ Organized Crime Strike Force
• Conceived and directed global intelligence operations
targeting multi-national crime groups, terrorism, and
political corruption
• Media career producing TV documentaries and
working as a correspondent for various networks
• Author of 23 non-fiction books, including Bombshell
and L.A. Secret Police, Inside the LAPD Elite Spy
Network
Frank Wood 2/20/2023The Kennedys
Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.
(1888-1969)
• Born into political family in East Boston
• Graduated from Harvard (Econ) in 1912
• Married Rose Fitzgerald, eldest daughter
of Boston Mayor J. F Fitzgerald in 1914
• Initially involved in banking, he made a
large fortune in stock and commodity
investing during 1910’s
• Reorganized and refinanced several
Hollywood studios during 1920’s
ultimately merging them into RKO
• Made most of his fortune investing in real
estate during the 1930’s
• Became involved in liquor importation
just after repeal of Prohibition
Frank Wood 2/20/2023Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.
(1888-1969)
• Had nine children
• Joseph Patrick Jr. (“Joe’) (1915-1944)
• John Fitzgerald (“Jack”) (1917-1963)
• Rose Marie (1918-2005)
• Kathleen Agnes (1920-1948)
• Eunice Mary (1921-2009)
• Patricia Helen (“Pat”) (1924-2006)
• Robert Francis (“Bobby”) (1925-1968)
• Jean Ann (1928-2020)
• Edward Moore (“Teddy”) (1932-2009)
• Had homes in Brookline, MA, Palm Beach,
FL and Hyannis Port, MA
• Rumored to have had many extramarital
affairs
Frank Wood 2/20/2023Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.
(1888-1969)
• Met FDR in late 1910’s.
• Chairman of SEC (1934-35)
• Chairman of Maritime Commission (1937)
• Ambassador to UK (1938-40)
• Leading member of Democratic Party and
Irish Catholic community
• Post World War II, he generally devoted
himself to furthering his sons’ political
careers with objective that JFK would
become President
• Had close ties to Senator Joseph McCarthy
• Alleged connections to the Chicago mob
• Suffered debilitating stroke in 1961,
regained some functions, died in Dec. 1969
Frank Wood 2/20/2023Joseph P. Jr.
(1915-1944) Killed in World War II
Death of Marilyn Monroe
Partial Kennedy Family Tree John F. (1917- Congressman, Senator, 35th President
1963)
Rosemary (1918-
2005)
Joseph P. & Rose Married
British husband killed in WWII. Died in
Kathleen (1920- plane crash in France.
1948)
Eunice (1921- Married to Sargent Shriver (1953-2009)
1914
2009)
Patricia (Pat) Married to Peter Lawford (1954-1966)
(1924-2006)
Robert F. (1925- Attorney General and Senator
1968)
Jean Ann (1928-
2020)
Edward. M (1932- Senator
2009)
Frank Wood 2/20/2023John F. Kennedy
(1917-1963)
• Second child of Joseph and Rose Kennedy
• 35th President of U.S. (1/61—11/63)
• Youngest person elected President. First
president born after 1900
• Extremely charismatic with energetic
persona despite serious back issues and
Addison’s disease
• Connections to Hollywood
• Brother-in-Law of Peter Lawford
• Affairs with several actresses
• Association with Frank Sinatra and the
“rat pack”
Frank Wood 2/20/2023Peter Lawford
(1923-1984)
• Born in England, childhood in France
• Childhood accident injured right arm
preventing him from WW2 service
• 40 year Hollywood acting career; his
production company produced TV sitcoms in
1960’s
• Married Patricia Kennedy in 1954 thereby
becoming the brother-law of JFK & RFK
• Member of the “Rat Pack”
• Resided in a beachfront mansion in Santa
Monica which was unofficial Kennedy HQ in
California
• Socialized frequently with Marilyn Monroe
• Struggled with alcohol & drug addiction in
later years of his life
Frank Wood 2/20/2023Robert F. Kennedy
(1925-1968)
• Seventh child of Joseph and Rose
Kennedy
• Managed JFK’s 1952 Senatorial and 1960
Presidential campaigns
• Attorney General (1961-64), US Senator
(NY) (1965-68)
• Reportedly his older brother JFK was his
“hero”. He became JFK’s closest advisor
during his Presidency. JFK described him
as a “doer” with a gift for organization
• Relentless crusader against organized
crime and the Mafia as chief counsel to
the US Senate McClellan Committee and
as AG. Strong aversion to Jimmy Hoffa.
Frank Wood 2/20/2023Robert F. Kennedy
(1925-1968)
• Was variously described as “ruthless”,
“tenacious” “moody” “passionate”
“loyal” “outspoken” “tough as nails”
“principled” “temperamental”
“puritanical” “sanctimonious”
• Reportedly played major roles in the
Berlin Wall and Cuban Missile crises
• Married Ethyl Skakel in 1950. They had
11 children together.
• Assassinated in the Ambassador Hotel in
Los Angeles on June 5 1968 after
addressing his supporters after winning
the California presidential primary
• Remembered as a liberal “icon”
Frank Wood 2/20/2023Other Background Information
Marilyn Monroe Residence
12305 Fifth Helena Drive, Brentwood, CA
• Purchased in March 1962
• First home owned by Marilyn Monroe
• Architecture is Spanish Hacienda style (Cursum Perficio)
• Located at the end of a short cul-du-sac
• In addition to a 3-bedroom main house there was a small
guest house
• Marilyn Monroe was discovered dead in her residence on
the early morning of August 5, 1962
Frank Wood 2/20/2023Marilyn Monroe Residence
12305 Fifth Helena Drive, Brentwood, CA
• Purchased in March 1962
• First home owned by Marilyn Monroe
• Architecture is Spanish Hacienda style
• Located at the end of a short cul-du-sac
• In addition to a 3-bedroom main house there was a small
guest house
• Marilyn Monroe was discovered dead in her residence on
the early morning of August 5, 1962
Frank Wood 2/20/2023Dr. Ralph Greenson (1911-1979) • Clinical professor of psychiatry at UCLA and analyst to several Hollywood celebrities (Monroe, Curtis, Sinatra, Leigh) • Studied medicine in Switzerland under students of Sigmund Freud • Gained recognition for early work with PTSD in WWII soldiers • Jewish descent. Member of Communist Party from 1930’s • MM’s personal analyst for ~last three years of her life. Saw MM on almost a daily basis during last few months of her life. Had significant influence over her day-to-day life. Frank Wood 2/20/2023
Eunice Murray (1902-1994) • Marilyn Monroe’s housekeeper after her return to Los Angeles in 1961. Recommended by Dr. Greenson • Raised the alarm that something was wrong with MM on August 5, 1962 • Trained psychiatric nurse • Former husband had been a prominent labor organizer with ties to the communist party • Changed her story regarding the timeline and events on of August 4 & 5, 1962 several times over the years • Attempted to capitalize on her association with MM and her presence at Marilyn’s house when she died Frank Wood 2/20/2023
Patricia (Pat) Newcomb
(1930-)
• Served as Marilyn Monroe’s publicist and press agent
from 1960-62 while working for the Arthur P. Jacobs
Agency
• Was with MM on August 4 and returned to MM
residence in early morning of August 5
• Started career as a researcher for Pierre Salinger
• Worked on RFK’s Senate campaign in 1964 and was
his campaign manager in his run for President in 1968
• Founded Pickwick Public Relations Agency in late
1960’s and was a VP at MGM in mid-1980’s
Frank Wood 2/20/2023Dr. Hyman Engleberg
(1913-2005)
• Personal physician to Marilyn Monroe saw her
frequently in the summer of 1962
• Reported Marilyn Monroe’s death to LAPD on August
5, 1962
• Prescribed Nembutal capsules for MM
• Was a prominent physician to the entertainment
community, reportedly having treated over 100
celebrities
• Jewish descent. Member of Communist Party from
1930’s
Frank Wood 2/20/2023Milton A. (Mickey) Rudin
(1920-99)
• Prominent entertainment lawyer best known for
decades long association with Frank Sinatra
• Involved in investments in Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe
with Sinatra and had bit parts in several movies
• Represented Marilyn Monroe in 1962 and was
present when LAPD arrived at her home the
morning of August 5, 1962
• Originally from NYC, came to LA in 1936, graduated
from UCLA and Harvard Law
• Brother-in-law of Dr. Ralph Greenson
Frank Wood 2/20/2023Fred Otash
(1922-92)
• Former LAPD officer and notorious Hollywood
private detective and “fixer”
• Alleged to have fed information about celebrities to
tabloid publications
• Alleged to have underworld connections
• Alleged to have “bugged” MM’s residence for Peter
Lawford and Jimmy Hoffa
• Also alleged to have bugged Peter Lawford’s Santa
Monica beach house
• Alleged to have audio tapes of the evening MM
died
Frank Wood 2/20/2023Jack Clemmons
(1924-1998)
• Sergeant in the LAPD and watch commander at
West Los Angeles Division on mid-night shift of
August 5, 1962
• First police officer at MM’s house at 4:45am on
August 5, 1962
• Maintained in later years that crime scene
appeared staged and that he was pressured to
initial photographs of the crime scene which
differed from what he observed
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