The mysterious death of Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe has fascinated the public and sparked countless theories over the decades.
The Gentlemen Prefer Blondes star was found dead at her Brentwood, California, home on August 4, 1962, at only 36 years old. A newly released book, L.A. Coroner: Thomas Noguchi and Death in Hollywood by Anne Soon Choi, examines the details of the autopsy performed by Dr. Thomas Noguchi, known as the "Coroner to the Stars". This comes as a biographer claimed there is only one british royal who rivals the late Hollyood star.
Here's a look at the autopsy findings of one of the world's most iconic figures, marking the anniversary of her passing.
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Born Norma Jean Mortenson on June 1, 1926, Marilyn was a blonde bombshell famous for her performances in movies like The Seven Year Itch, How to Marry a Millionaire, and Some Like it Hot.
While her death was officially ruled a suicide, conspiracy theories suggest potential foul play connected to her alleged relationships with President John F. Kennedy and his brother Robert F. Kennedy. Notably, Dr. Noguchi also conducted the autopsy on Robert F. Kennedy.
Marilyn was discovered unclothed and face down on her bed with one arm extended toward a telephone nearby. Multiple pill bottles littered her nightstand, including a container of the sleeping medication Nembutal and a partially empty bottle of the powerful sedative chloral hydrate.
Significantly, the Nembutal had been prescribed to her just two days before her death. The compelling true crime biography carefully detailed the autopsy of the legendary sex symbol, uncovering shocking revelations.
The book describes, "Noguchi slowly pulled the sheet back to discover the body of Marilyn Monroe. The starlet. The most beautiful woman in the world.
"He was momentarily paralyzed in disbelief. It really was her."
Despite her fame and beauty, the coroner understood the seriousness of his responsibility. "The Hollywood starlet was now a body waiting to give up its secrets."
With indications pointing toward an overdose, he "began by slowly examining every inch of [her] body with a magnifying glass to search for needle marks that would indicate the injection of drugs... He found none."
During the external examination, Dr. Noguchi "noted the fresh bruises on her hip and lower back and the cyanosis that cast a bluish tinge to her skin".
After completing the post-mortem, the coroner determined that "It was plain and simple. She died of an overdose of sleeping pills."
A psychological autopsy confirmed the manner of death as suicide, considering her background, which featured "psychiatric disturbance, severe fears and frequent depressions," alongside previous suicide attempts. Although her death was determined to be suicide, a full toxicology examination was never performed because "the levels of pentobarbital and chloral hydrate were fatal," prompting the chief toxicologist to abandon additional testing. This lack of thorough analysis concerned Dr. Noguchi, who questioned: "Was there a chance that she was murdered?" and "Was he a pawn in a coverup?"
The book discloses that "rumors of foul play had begun to circulate," and as details of her death emerged publicly, "rumors blossomed into conspiracy theories, tapping into the deep well of postwar conspiracy and paranoia: The CIA assassinated her; the Kennedys had her killed."
Several critics pointed to the psychological autopsy - a relatively new technique in forensic science at that time - as the critical factor behind the suicide ruling. "Due to its lack of scientific evidence, many viewed it as part of a larger coverup."
Notably, the physical examination found no "visual evidence" of pills in her stomach or small intestine, a discovery that has bolstered theories indicating she may have been killed.
Marilyn was only 36 years old when she died, and would have turned 100 on June 1.
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